Travel by Photos to Notre Dame de Paris

Here are some photos I took around the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. For those who haven’t been there, I hope I could bring along you guys to travel to this travel destination by my photos, before flying there to see it with your naked eyes. You can view all my Travel by Photos series of post by clicking here.

Notre Dame Cathedral, also known as Notre Dame de Paris (French for Our Lady of Paris), is one of my pick of Top 5 attraction in Paris. It is a catholic cathedral sits beside the River Seine in the 4th Arrondissement (district) of Paris city centre. It contains the cathedra (official chair) of the Archbishop of Paris.

Visiting Notre Dame to view its superb architecture design is certainly worthwhile, as it is widely considered as one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and even Europe. Its construction was spanned for 178 years and finally completed in about year 1345. It was designed in various stages by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, one of France’s most famous architects. Its sculptures and stained glass designs show the heavy influence of naturalism, unlike that of earlier Romanesque architecture. It was also among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress (arched exterior supports).

For younger generations, who are staying far away from Paris and Europe, we got to know Notre Dame from the animated film by Disney in 1996, The Hunchback of the Notre Dame. The story is based on the novel with the same name by Victor Hugo published 179 year ago in 1831. Still remember the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame, Quasimodo and the beautiful Esmeralda? 🙂

Some Useful Information for Visitors

If you are planning to visit it after Triumphal Arch and Louvre Museum, walk further east about 30 minutes and across the River Seine will get you there.

If you are planning it as your first stop in Paris city centre, take Metro (underground train) Line 4 to Station Cité or Saint-Michel , Line 1, 11 to Station Hôtel de Ville, Line 10 to Station Maubert-Mutualité or Cluny – La Sorbonne, or Lines 7, 11 et 14 to Station Châtelet, depends where are you coming from. Off course, buses, RER or taxi can also get you right to its front.

The cathedral is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:45 pm (7:15 pm on Saturdays and Sundays). However, prayer service and meeting the priest is available at certain hours only.

Entrance to the cathedral is Free.

Audioguides are available at reception, at the entrance of Cathedral. This 35-minute guide describes the spiritual message of this great Christian site, through its History, its architecture, its sculptures, its windows, and more. French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese.

There are also guided tours around the cathedral organised by Notre Dame de Paris and the C.A.S.A. (Communauté d’Accueil dans les Sites Artistiques) Association that conducted in major international languages including English and Chinese (and even Japanese)

Travel Feeder is not the official site of Notre Dame de Paris. Detail information can be obtained from The Notre Dame Official Website.

Here are some of the photos of Notre Dame de Paris.

The prominent features of the cathedral are the 3 giant door arch of its main entrance at its West fascade.

Beautiful sculptures are seen all over its fascade. Visitors are attracted by its gorgeous designs.

The fine detailing of its sculptures is simply unbeatable even by today’s standard! Make sure you bring along your Telephoto lens!

Jaw dropping designs of its internal.

The double volume high ceiling.

The amazing stained glass designs at its windows.

Another ‘Wow-factor’ feature on its internal walkway.

Photo taking inside the cathedral is allowable, only when you make sure your camera’s Beep sound and flash is turned off! Make sure to bring along your fast lens to shoot low light. Or you may shoot them hand held with D60 attached with Tamron SP10-24mm ultra wide angle lens, like what I did here. If none of the above is available, you should buy the latest Nikon wonder DSLR, D7000! 🙂

Notre Dame is just beside the main river in Paris, the River Seine. You can walk across the river, pick one of the many cafes found there, and sit at those outside seating along the river to oversee the whole cathedral.

Click HERE to view all photos in full resolution via Flickr Lightbox.

What’s my verdict?

• Attractiveness: Excellent   √ √ √ √ √
• Features to explore: Good √ √ √ √
• Photo Opportunity: Excellent √ √ √ √ √
• Accessability: Good √ √ √ √
  
• Affordability: Excellent √ √ √ √ √ (free entrance)
  

• Overall Travel Score : 92%

• Verdict: Located not far away from other main tourists attractions in Paris city centre, Notre Dame is another destination which travelers should not miss to go. From outside to inside, the architecture supremacy provide endless opportunities for travel photography. Furthermore, the entrance is free! Just make sure to turn off your camera Beep sound and flash if you are taking photos inside. 🙂 – Travel Feeder, your ultimate travel photo blog

About The Author

Cecil Lee

The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.