About the Île de la Cité
The Île de la Cité is the historic heart of Paris, the place where the city was born more than two thousand years ago. Here stands the Notre Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art begun in the twelfth century and a symbol of French identity. Its history is linked to coronations, revolutions and great events that marked the future of France.
What to see during the visit
The tour allows you to discover the Notre Dame Cathedral and its extraordinary architecture: sculpted facades, rose windows and flying buttresses. The audioguide offers detailed explanations of its most outstanding elements and historical and artistic figures linked to the temple. In addition, the tour of the Île de la Cité passes through squares, streets and corners steeped in history and legends.
“Notre Dame is a vast book of stone.” – Victor Hugo
Curiosities
- Victor Hugo wrote Our Lady of Paris to raise awareness of the deterioration of the cathedral and save it from neglect.
- The Île de la Cité was the first Roman settlement in Paris, known as Lutetia.
- The gargoyles of Notre Dame are not only decorative: they also served as drains to protect the walls from rain.