Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Paris

Notre-Dame de Paris is the « Gothic cathedral » par excellence. Construction began in the 12th century and lasted more than 170 years. Its famous west façade has exerted a considerable influence throughout Europe, due to its unrivalled balance and harmony. Reminiscent of a ship with oars, its chevet is a veritable masterpiece of lightness. The cathedral houses a celebrated great organ, a collection of distinguished paintings and a treasury. Restored by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and celebrated by Victor Hugo in the 19th century, Notre-Dame de Paris has always been inextricably linked to French history. But in 2019 the whole world was moved when a spectacular fire tore through its roof timbers, leading in particular to the collapse of the spire. In 2024, following an unprecedented restoration, the cathedral is dazzling visitors once again.

The « Cathédrales de France » series offers a fresh look at exceptional monuments around which our cities have grown.

Both monograph and guidebook, each lavishly illustrated volume covers the history of a building, its architecture and the lesser-known aspects of its decoration and furniture.

From modest structures of the earliest periods to contemporary works via Gothic cathedrals, the series spans twenty centuries of history.