For more than eight centuries, Notre-Dame de Paris has watched French history unfold. In 2013 it celebrated its 850th anniversary. Six years later, on 15 April 2019, a fire destroyed its roof and brought down its spire as the whole world watched. On 7 December 2024 it reopened, restored. Here is its story and how to visit it today.
Key points
- Construction of Notre-Dame began in 1163, under Bishop Maurice de Sully.
- On 15 April 2019 a fire destroyed the roof structure and the spire.
- The cathedral reopened on 7 December 2024, after more than five years of work.
- Entry is free; more than six million people visited in the first six months after reopening.
Eight centuries of history
Begun in 1163 on the Île de la Cité, the cathedral was largely completed by the mid-14th century. It is a masterpiece of Gothic art, with its two towers, rose windows and flying buttresses. Napoleon was crowned emperor there in 1804. In the 19th century Victor Hugo’s novel Notre-Dame de Paris (1831), known in English as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, revived interest in the monument, and the architect Viollet-le-Duc restored it and added its famous spire.
The fire of 15 April 2019
In the early evening a fire broke out in the roof space. The medieval timber frame, nicknamed la forêt (the forest), burned and the spire collapsed. Thanks to the Paris firefighters, the main structure, the towers and most of the artworks were saved. Donations from all over the world funded the reconstruction.
The reopening
After more than five years of work by hundreds of craftspeople, Notre-Dame reopened on 7 December 2024. The spire was rebuilt identically, with a golden rooster at the top, and the cleaned interior has recovered its pale stone. Some exterior work continues, notably on the east end and the forecourt.
Visiting tip: entry is free, but the cathedral is very busy. Book a time slot on the cathedral’s official website to avoid the queue, and go early in the morning.
Nearby
- Point zéro, on the forecourt, the point from which road distances from Paris are measured.
- The Sainte-Chapelle and its stained glass, a few minutes’ walk away.
- The banks of the Seine and their bouquinistes (second-hand booksellers).
- The Île Saint-Louis, just behind the cathedral.
Useful French vocabulary
- une cathédrale, une nef (a nave), un chœur (a choir), une rosace (a rose window), un vitrail (des vitraux): stained glass
- une flèche (a spire), une charpente (a roof frame), une tour, un arc-boutant (a flying buttress)
- une gargouille: a gargoyle, a carved waterspout
- le parvis: the square in front of the entrance
Going further
Discover other Paris landmarks in our articles on the Louvre Museum and the Centre Pompidou. Take our free French level test and practise in our French conversation lessons.
Frequently asked questions
Is Notre-Dame de Paris open?
Yes. The cathedral reopened on 7 December 2024, after the 2019 fire. Some exterior work continues.
Do you have to pay to visit Notre-Dame?
No, entry to the cathedral is free. Booking a time slot is recommended to reduce waiting.
When was the Notre-Dame fire?
On 15 April 2019. The roof frame and the spire were destroyed, but the main structure and the towers were saved.
When was Notre-Dame built?
Construction began in 1163 and was largely completed by the mid-14th century.
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