Notre Dame de Paris

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France is one of the most beloved churches in the world. This magnificent cathedral has stood in the center of Paris on the Île de la Cité for hundreds of years since its construction began in 1160. Since then, millions of pilgrims and tourists have flocked to this cathedral to marvel at its iconic rose windows and stunning French Gothic architecture. In fact, the Notre Dame was the most visited landmark in Paris, drawing 13 million visitors every year. I’ve been lucky to visit the Notre Dame on several occasions, and every time. I’ve left in awe of its beauty. Even when I lived in Paris, I always stopped to enjoy the cathedral’s magnificence. Earlier this month, the world watched as the UNESCO World Heritage Site burned for 15 hours, and the cathedral was severely damaged. The cathedral will be closed for an undetermined amount of time as the damage is repaired, but I have no doubt that it will be perfectly restored so future generations can enjoy its beauty.

Since it was built, the Notre Dame has captured the hearts and minds of people all over the globe. Many recognize the church from the famous Victor Hugo novel, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (and from the Disney movie based off of Hugo’s book.) I remember being amazed the first time I saw the cathedral in person, absolutely thrilled that I finally had finally seen this iconic landmark that was featured in the films I grew up watching. It’s easy to understand how this cathedraI inspired so many when you walk through its doors and experience the huge arched ceilings and see the colorful light pouring in from the rose windows.

Before the Notre Dame was damaged in the fire, guests could enter through the main doors at the front of the cathedral to wander through the structure and view its famous stained glass and religious art and artifacts for free. Visitors could pay a fee to climb the church’s towers for a stunning view of Paris. There is also a crypt located underneath the square in front of the Notre Dame that contains city ruins dating back to the Roman era. Last summer, I took a tour that focused just on the facade of the building, and I learned about all the fascinating symbolism behind the cathedral’s decorations. The Notre Dame is one of the most beautiful churches I've ever been to, and it is undoubtedly worth visiting again once it's rebuilt in a few years. I have so many fond memories of visiting the Notre Dame, and I can’t wait to make more once its restored.