The Notre Dame is the most famous church in Paris, and were built in a Gothic style. With its enormous size and beauty, the Notre Dame is a breathtaking sight and attracts millions of tourists each year. The Notre Dame is a french word meaning "Our Lady."

The construction begun in 1163 and continued for 170 years, until the 1320's. Work on the nave begun in 1183 and was completed in 1208, followed by the west front and towers between 1225 and 1250. A series of chapels were added to the nave circa 1235-1250. During the French revolution the church was almost completely destroyed, but was rebuilt between 1845 and 1878 according to the original plans. Around this era Napoleon crowned himself emperor, and his wife Josephine empress at the Notre-Dame. In 1844 a restoration begun with Eugene Emanuell Viollet-le-Duc reinstating the triforium and small clerestory windows in the eastern bay of the nave. This restoration lasted 23 years. In 1871 the Cathedral was almost burnt down, during the Commune but fortunately survived it with smaller damages. In 1768 geographers decided to measure all distances from Notre-Dame. In 1991 a general maintenance and restoration was initiated for 10 years.

The west front of Notre-Dame contains 28 statues representing the Monarchs of Judea and Israel, and visitors can climb up on 387 steps to the top of one of the towers. Notre-Dame's 13 ton bell can be found in the south tower and is only rung on special occasions.