Notre Dame, Paris
Notre Dame Cathedral has enthralled visitors since the 12th – 14th century. Visitors could walk its aisles, get up close to the columns, statues, explore the crypts and tombs, and even climb 387 stairs to the top of the cathedral to look at the spectacular Parisian cityscape. The Gothic wonder has seen over a thousand years of human history, revolution, several wars, suffered its greatest blow in April 2019. A fire damaged the noted cathedral, destroying its roof, collapsing the spire and damaging priceless historic artifacts. The recovery effort has meant closing off large portions of the site to tourists. The towers and some of the site’s main treasures remain closed off to tourists. But restoration work continues. In December 2023, the spire was hoisted into place and its new cockerel of Notre-Dame de Paris installed. The cathedral is closed to visitors but anticipates reopening in December of 2024.
