Take a look inside Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris and learn about interesting facts that you probably did not know!
It’s Sunday on my fourth day in Paris, and I was really excited to attend the mass at Notre-Dame de Paris to give thanks to The Lord for all the blessings! My previous post about Notre-Dame only discussed about the bell towers, but this time I will show how it looks like inside and list some interesting facts about Notre-Dame.
10 Interesting Facts
1. Notre-Dame de Paris is on an island
In the map above, you can easily see that Notre-Dame de Paris is located on an island. It’s called Île de la Cité, usually referred to as the heart of Paris, one of two remaining natural islands in Paris.
2. It has French Gothic architecture
Façade of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Built between 1163 and 1345, the Notre Dame cathedral is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.
3. The church has three organs
The Great Organ, largest in France, has five keyboards, one hundred ninety ties and eight thousand pipes.
The great organ, the choir organ and a positive organ, all contribute to the beauty of the services.
4. Notre-Dame has medieval stained glass windows
The South Rose Window. Under it is the heavenly court represented by the sixteen prophets.
Some of the stained glass windows of Notre-Dame date back to as early as 13th century. The stained glass shows the heavy influence of naturalism.
5. Notre-Dame’s dimensions
Inside Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
41 meters wide, 43 meters high up to the base of the towers, 63 m up to the top of the towers.
The epic Eiffel Tower of Paris
6. Statue of the first bishop of Paris
Legend says Saint Denis picked up his head after decapitation and continued to walk towards the top of Montmartre.
There is a statue of Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, at the entrance among other saints.
7. The Hunchback of Notre Dame centers its story here
One of the doors of Notre-Dame
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a novel written by Victor Hugo, centers its story on this cathedral. But it’s good to note that all the film and TV adaptations have somewhat strayed from the original plot.
8. Notre Dame has five large bells
Emmanuel
There are five large bells at Notre Dame that were traditionally rung by hand. In the 20th century, electric motors were installed.
9. Relics at the Notre-Dame
Au revoir Notre-Dame!
Notre-Dame de Paris houses some of the most important relics of Catholicism: Crown of Thorns, a fragment of the True Cross and one of the Holy Nails.
10. Notre Dame is open all year round
‘Til next time!
Tourists can visit the cathedral any day of the year. It opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 6:45 pm on weekdays and 7:15 PM on weekends.
Discussion
It is a nice post, short and concise, which depicts facts about Notre Dame in very structured way. All pictures are lovely. During our visit to Paris this year we couldn’t step into Notre Dame due to time limitation. We could see it only from outside. But after going through your post I feel that now I have seen it from inside also and know about it.
Notre Dame is indeed a fascinating place. We spent a couple of hours awed by the ethereal beauty that enveloped the place when we were there a couple of years ago. Indeed the place has a dream like quality and your pictures bring to life this stunning beauty so well.
Stunning images of Notre Dame. Its so nice to see what it looks like from inside.
What a pretty photo essay of the interior of Notre Dame, usually most blog posts focus on the outside, so nice to see some of the details in your images.
I went to Notre Dame last year and waited in line for 3 hours to see it. Sad part is, I was in the wrong line! The line I was in took you up to the top to see the city views which were amazing but never got to see the inside. I really enjoyed your facts though and will save it for the next time I go!