Notre Dame Cathedral Top Paris Tourist Attractions

Notre-Dame is another one of Paris’ top symbols.  Notre-Dame of Paris is with more than 12 million visitors in 2005, the monument of France and perhaps of Europe most visited, before the Eiffel Tower. The construction, started under the reign of Louis VII by the bishop Maurice de Sully, from 1163 to 1345, where Paris was in the archbishop of Sens. 

Cathedrale Notre-Dame was built in 1163 and finally completed in the 14th century. Its gothic style communicates biblical history to on-seeers. The Cathedrale Notre-Dame dominates the history of Paris. The first settlement arose on the Ile de la Cite making it Paris’ birthplace. The cathedrale is located on the tiny Ile de la Cite. The area was chosen because the surrounding waters provided protection from invading armies.  Napoleon crowned himself emperor here and General de Gaulle gave thanks here when the Germans freed Paris.