Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is the spiritual and geographical heart of France — the "Point Zero," from which all distances in the country are measured, is embedded in the ground in front of the cathedral. The Gothic masterpiece (construction began in 1163, completed around 1345) survived revolution, wars, and the devastating fire of April 15, 2019, which caused the collapse of the roof and the iconic crossing tower.

After five years of meticulous restoration, Notre-Dame was ceremoniously reopened on December 7, 2024. The interior shines with new brilliance: the centuries-old layer of soot has been removed, the limestone walls glow in bright beige, and the stained glass windows — including the three massive rose windows from the 13th century — shine in colors not seen for centuries. The new crossing tower follows the historical model, complemented by modern fire safety measures.

The Île de la Cité, the Seine island on which Notre-Dame stands, is the birthplace of Paris. The Romans founded Lutetia here. Besides the cathedral, the Sainte-Chapelle (1248, perhaps the most beautiful stained glass windows in the world — 1,113 individual scenes in 15 floor-to-ceiling windows, entry €11.50) and the Conciergerie (prison of the French Revolution, where Marie-Antoinette spent her last days, €11.50) are worth a visit. Combo ticket for both: €18.50.