Paris, hôtels de charme, trois et quatre étoiles, restaurant, salles de séminaires, Saint Germain des Prés, Invalides, Place de la Concorde, Tour Eiffel, Montmartre

Built between the 12^th and 14^th centuries, Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral can notably be recognised by its 2 towers and 3 portals, marking the entry to the monument from the square in front.

Celebrated by Victor Hugo in his novel, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, the Cathedral is a gothic masterpiece, often described as a “delicate lace in stone” ensemble. Don’t miss the mischievous-looking gargoyles watching you from the building’s eaves.

 

You can attend services and other celebrations at the Cathedral or listen to organ concerts.

Every day of the year, tours are also given by the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral and the C.A.S.A. Association (Communauté d’Accueil dans les Sites Artistiques – Communities Welcoming Visitors to Artistic Sites) in different languages to present the spiritual message of this renowned centre of Christianity, through its history, its architecture, its sculptures and its stained-glass windows.

Audioguides are also available at the reception desk in case you arrive too late for the guided tour! The Cathedral’s Treasury is also very interesting. You can see many objects from throughout the centuries made by the best goldsmiths who wanted to give the Lord their most beautiful works.

 

Climb the Cathedral’s Towers to see the biggest bell, called the Bourdon, and for a spectacular view of Paris. But you’d better be in shape, because there are more than 380 steps to the top!

 

Located on île de la Cité, the Cathedral provides easy access to the second natural island in the Seine, île Saint Louis, where you can walk along the Quai d’Anjou or Quai de Béthune and see where major personalities such as Charles Baudelaire, Camille Claudel or Georges Pompidou once lived. Nearby, you can also stroll through the flower market on the Left Bank, not far from the Palais de Justice which still houses the magnificent 13^th-century Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie, the main vestige of the old Palais de la Cité, which was the residence and seat of power of the Kings of France from the 10^th to the 14^th century.

 

A bit further afield from the Cathedral you will find the shopping streets around rue de Rivoli and the entire Latin Quarter with its bistros and pedestrian streets.

 

In other words, Notre Dame Cathedral is not to be missed!

To help you during your visit to the heart of Paris, the Maurice Hurand group’s hotels on the Left Bank (Madison Hotel, Artus Hotel and Hotel de Buci) are there for you, offering a restful, cultural atmosphere where you can also discover the works by artists exhibited on their premises.