Notre Dame Cathedral France
One of the most celebrated and admired churches in the world is Paris' beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral. This masterpiece of French Gothic architecture is one of the most astounding sights that the city has to offer, and visitors will be humbled and awed by the church's beautiful presence.

The original building in the cathedral's site were a Gallo-Roman temple to the god Jupiter, a Christian basilica and a Roman Church. In 1163 Pope Alexander the III laid the first stone of the Notre Dame Cathedral, and construction on the basic building wasn't completed until over 200 years later. During the French Revolution in the 1800's, many of the church's windows and priceless treasure were destroyed, and the church ended up being used for the storage of food. Finally, a restoration project on the church began in 1845, and lasted for 23 years. In 1991, new restorations were begun on the church, and it is seldom seen without scaffolding on one wall or another where repairs are taking place.

The church as it is now holds a staggering 6000 people. It has some of the most unique architecture in the world, including three separate entrances, all of which are shaped differently. Stony gargoyles guard the rooftops and walls of the outside, and a huge, 7800-pipe organ dominates the interior. For one of the most spectacular views in the city, climb the 387 steps that lead up to the top of the west facade, and be sure to bring a camera.