Top Two Paris Cathedrals Travel Guide

Paris is home to several cathedrals, none more famous or worthy of a visit than the Notre Dame and Sacré Coeur.

Visiting the Notre Dame

Notre Dame is without a doubt the most famous of the Paris cathedrals, with 13 million annual visitors, an average of 30,000 each day. From its famous rosette stained glass windows to its startling gargoyles and chimeras, the Notre Dame is one of the most instantly-recognizable tourist attractions in the world.

It is situated at kilometre zéro, the point from which all distances in France are measured. The Notre Dame's first stone was reportedly laid in 1163 with Pope Alexander III present for the occasion. Construction of the Cathedral was a multi-century project.

It's a long wait to climb the 387 steps to the tower, but worth the time. Not only does the tower provide a close-up view of one of the bells, it permits inspection of some of the cathedral gargoyles. Once at the pinnacle, visitors can see Paris from above in any direction.

This landmark was attacked by mobs during the French Revolution due to its association with the aristocracy. Among the damage: two of its magnificent bells were melted and the Kings of Judah statuary was smashed. The heads were hidden away by an aristocrat and eventually found their way into the Cluny. The statues on the west façade today are reproductions.

The success of Victor Hugo's 1831 The Hunchback of Notre Dame provoked the city into restoring the increasingly decrepit church.

When touring the Notre Dame: be prepared to wait in line an hour or more to climb to the bell tower. Take time to enjoy the unique architectural features. While the bells, organs, windows, gargoyles and chimeras are the most memorable Notre Dame attractions, this cathedral is also a repository for historical statues, paintings and a treasury of religious icons. The sundial representing kilometre zéro is outside the cathedral on the east side. There is an admission charge to climb the bell tower.

A Quick Tour of Sacré Coeur

Basilica Sacré Coeur sits atop Montmartre, 129 meters above sea level. Built on the site associated with the martyr St. Denis, who was beheaded in the 3^rd century, Sacré Coeur offers the second highest view from a monument in Paris. Its foundation stone was laid in 1875 and perpetual adoration (around the clock celebration of the Eucharist) of the Blessed Sacrament has taken place here since 1885. Sacré Coeur is dedicated to the heart of Christ, distinguishing it from the typical basilica devoted to the Virgin Mary.

Among the features that define Sacré Coeur: statues of national saints Joan of Arc and King Saint Louis IX; the Savoyarde (the great bell); the largest apse mosaic in the world, depicting Christ in Majesty and The Sacred Heart Worshiped by the Virgin Mary, Joan of Arc and St. Michael the Archangel; a crypt relic said to be the actual sacred heart of Jesus.

Like the Notre Dame, Sacré Coeur admits visitors to the church free but it charges admission to visit the crypt and dome.

One of the prime attractions of Sacré Coeur is the art stalls set up alongside of it. Families with kids will enjoy traveling up the steep hill via funicular.