Notre Dame de Paris is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and in Europe. It was restored and saved from destruction by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, one of France’s most famous architects. The name Notre Dame means “Our Lady” in French, and is frequently used in the names of Catholic Church buildings in Francophone countries. Notre Dame de Paris was one of the first Gothic cathedrals construction began in 1160.    

Notre Dame de Paris was among the first buildings in the world to use the flying butress (arched exterior supports). The building was not originally designed to include the flying buttresses around the choir and nave.  After the construction began and the thinner walls (popularized in the Gothic style) grew ever higher, stress fractures began to occur as the walls pushed outward. In response, the cathedral’s architects built supports around the outside walls, and later additions continued the pattern. The cathedral was essentially complete by 1345.

It’s free to go inside the Cathedral.  If you want to see some gargoyles up close admission is 8 euro per person to climb some stairs to walk on a caged ledge to see views of Paris and some of the gargoyles.  It was impressive to see the gargoyles but it was very crowded and there is not a lot of space to move around.  Notre Dame Cathedral is a definite must see when visiting Paris.