Notre Dame

Notre-Dame de Paris is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in the 4th arrondissement of Paris.  The Île de la Cité is one of two natural river islands in the Seine within the city of Paris. 

The cathedral is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.  It stands out because of its large historic organ and its immense church bells.

Interest in the cathedral blossomed soon after the publication in 1831 of Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. 

Some important relics in the Christian world  , including the Crown of Thorns, a sliver of the true cross and a nail from the true cross, are preserved at Notre-Dame. 

The roof of Notre-Dame caught fire on the evening of April 15, 2019.  Burning for about 15 hours, the cathedral sustained serious damage.  However, on July 16, 2019, the French Parliament passed a law requiring that it be rebuilt exactly as it was before the fire.  The government of France hopes the reconstruction can be completed by Spring 2024, in time for the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.