Everything You Need to Know About the Notre-Dame in Paris

Between the 11th and the 12th centuries, Paris emerged as the centre of power in France, politically, economically and intellectually, and the largest island in the Seine was the city’s beating heart. On 12 October 1160, Maurice de Sully rose to the office of Bishop of Paris and stated his intention to demolish the Church of Saint-Étienne and erect in its place a monument to the Virgin Mary that reflected the new status of the capital.

The first stone was laid three years later in the presence of King Louis VII le Jeune and Pope Alexander III. The first period of construction in the building’s history lasted for almost 200 years, during which numerous architects, including Jean de Chelles, Pierre de Montreuil, Pierre de Chelles, Jean Ravy and Jean le Bouteiller, contributed to its new Gothic style. It was finally completed in 1345.

One of the first momentous events in Notre-Dame’s story came in 1431 when Henry VI, the King of England, was also crowned the King of France on 16 December amid the Hundred Years’ War. Earlier that year, the conflict had claimed the life of one of the most discussed figures in French history, the 19-year-old Joan of Arc, who was burned at the stake as a heretic. On 7 July 1456, an inquiry found her innocent of all crimes and declared her a martyr. In 1909, she was beatified in Notre-Dame by Pope Pius X and made a saint 11 years later.

During the 16th century, the condition of the cathedral deteriorated significantly, with tombs and stained-glass windows destroyed in the name of modernisation and external features removed or vandalised due to claims of idolatry. However, Robert de Cotte led renovation works in the 1600s under the wishes of Louis XIII. It was in this period that it gained its famous organ, which boasts 8,000 pipes.

Its fate turned downwards again during the French Revolution. The church was turned into a food and wine store and fell into disrepair. Many of its statues also lost their heads, though due to hammer blows rather than the guillotine. The severed heads were thought to be lost until they were discovered in 1977 and can be seen today at the Musée de Cluny.

By the turn of the 19th century, the cathedral was on its last legs. But Napoleon saved it from ruin and was crowned emperor there in December 1804. Further much-needed restoration took place between 1845 and 1870 under the government of King Louis Philippe I – in no small part due to a rise in the cathedral’s popularity after Victor Hugo’s novel Notre-Dame de Paris was released in 1829. The architects Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and Jean-Baptiste Lassus oversaw the work, with the former continuing on alone after his partner’s death in 1857.

Thankfully, neither of the World Wars brought significant harm to Notre-Dame, though various artworks were removed for fear of Nazi vandalism or looting. More cautious modernisation followed in the second half of the 20th century, including the mechanisation of the 13-ton Emmanuel bell and the extensive cleaning of the facades and sculptures.

On 15 April 2019, the world watched in horror as a fire consumed the cathedral’s spire and Medieval roof. This outpouring was swiftly met with a collective sigh of relief when news broke that Notre-Dame’s bell towers survived the blaze, along with the three iconic rose windows and its centuries-old organ. To this day there is no clear explanation as to how the fire started and whether someone is to blame, although it is generally considered to have been an accidental incident, most likely caused by an electrical fault.

After over 5 years of delicate restoration – a time which has seen a global pandemic come and go, not to mention a Paris-hosted Olympic and Paralympic Games – the Notre-Dame will finally reopen to the public on 8 December 2024.

While there was an obvious desire for the cathedral to be open in time for the Olympics, local authorities and lead architect Philippe Villeneuve had no desire for a rushed job, and so visitors in the summer had to settle for admiring the spire from afar, something Parisians had been unable to do since the structure collapsed amid the flames. Scaffolding had surrounded the spire throughout reconstruction until February 2024, when a carbon-copy of architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc’s 1859 version was finally made visible once more.

During reconstruction there has also been a virtual reality experience called Eternal Notre-Dame, in which visitors can be immersed in the history of the cathedral throughout the centuries. The experience lasts around 45 minutes, at a cost of €30.99 (£25), and can be found on the forecourt of the cathedral, as well as at the gates of Paris in Cité de l’Histoire.

Exactly one month before reopening, the bells of the Notre-Dame were heard around Paris for the first time since 2019. Eight belfry bells were rung during a moving ceremony on 8 November 2024, which included three brand new ones, most notably the Olympic Games Bell, which was present at Stade de France throughout the Games, and was rung by every gold medallist in the stadium.

Anticipation for the reopening has been huge, with many visitors expected in December 2024, and estimates suggesting around 12-15 million people a year will come by to see the cathedral. The bulk of the restoration work will be completed in time for the opening, but works will continue throughout 2025 and even into 2026. This includes restoration work on the apse and sacristy, as well as the potential installation of brand new contemporary stained glass windows.

Despite some pressure from politicians to introduce a €5 entrance fee, the Catholic Church in France remains staunch in its stance of keeping all churches open to the public free of charge, welcoming worshippers and visitors alike when the doors swing open once more in December 2024. This means that anyone can visit the Notre-Dame totally free of charge.

A new booking system has been implemented in order to navigate the huge demands expected upon reopening. Tickets and time slots will be bookable online and through a brand new app. You will still be able to visit without a reservation, but capacity remains at a maximum of 2,500 visitors at any given time while restorations continue, so booking ahead is recommended.

The app is expected to go live in early December 2024 and reservations will be bookable just a few days before your visit, so you won’t be able to secure your slot months ahead. Group bookings, meanwhile, will be put on hold for six months as priority goes to worshippers and individual visitors.