Notre Dame de Paris & its surrounding areas!

When I first heard of the Notre Dame Cathedral, I immediately thought of Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Well, apparently there is a relationship between the famous church of Paris and the masterpiece of Victor Hugo. Continue reading to find out how they are related! The history behind it is kind of awesome!

So, it had been only a few days since my friend and I had arrived in Paris and we were so excited to see the Eiffel Tower, walk along Avenue des Champs Élysées and explore the Seine. So, the Notre Dame was not really something we were dying to see. However, it was on our itinerary so on our third day, we decided to head on over to see why this church was such a big deal among tourists. I mean you have seen one so you’ve seen them all, right? Wrong! This cathedral is jaw-dropping!

How to get to the Notre Dame Cathedral?

This sacred site is literally located in the center of Paris so there are many metro lines and buses that can take you there. I say literally because right in front of the church, in the courtyard, is the Point Zero compass.

This compass supposedly marks the center of Paris because this is where all the distances in France are measured from. It is not something you should go out of your way to see but definitely an interesting landmark to check out if you have the time and chance. There is also a bit of a superstition tied with this cute spot - if you stand on the Point Zero plate, good luck will bring you back to Paris one day! So, if you want to return to the City of Love later on in your life with some good fortune, then do not forget to put your feet on this special little compass!

Before I got all sidetracked with the Point - Zero compass, I wanted to give you guys information on different ways you can get to the Notre Dame. The RER B (blue train) and RER C (yellow train) both have stops near Notre Dame - it is the Saint - Michel, Notre Dame stop. There is also the Metro line 4 (magenta) which has a stop at the same station. This is the closest metro station to the cathedral however, there are several other metro stations that are within walking distance. So, the access to this stunning architectural masterpiece is not a difficult one! If you download the SNCP application, then you will have an easy time finding the fastest form of transportation whether that is the bus, metro, train, etc. or walking.

Why is Notre Dame important in the French history?

In the French language, Notre Dame means Our Lady, which is a direct reference to the Virgin Mary in the Bible. This beautiful cathedral is 673 years old, to be exact! The demolition of the old church, which was in its place before, took place in 1160. The new construction began in 1163 and it was not until 1345 when they completed the final construction of the present- day Notre Dame. It took a whopping two centuries to build this masterpiece. When it was first built, many churches were just little shacks so the Notre Dame was definitely ahead of its time. I wish I had the architectural terminology to explain and describe this building in detail but I do not and I will not even try! But I will say this: the details are magnificent and it is quite remarkable and crazy to think that the architects of that time could even imagine erecting something as remarkable as the Notre Dame. They didn’t even have access to any of the technology or the architectural concepts that are available today, yet they were still able to build something as splendid as the Notre Dame!

The interior is equally mind-blowing as the exterior. The high vaulted ceilings will make you feel small and without even realizing it, it will have you tilt your head way back to observe the magnificent details. The stained glass rose- windows are the stunning eye-catching features of the church. There are a few of them spread out and if my memory serves correctly, one of them depicts Jesus Christ surrounded by angels.

Many tourists visit the Notre Dame because it is one of the significant landmarks in the city of Paris. It is unavoidable. It is one of those places you see all over travel guides and postcards! However, many visit this church for spiritual and religious reasons. I have spotted many praying and lighting candles to pay their respects on numerous occasions. When you walk inside the church, you cannot avoid the cameras and people awing and pointing to the different part of the church, but there is also this sense of peace and calmness as there are some people sitting and praying as well.

I have been living in Paris for almost a year now but I have yet to climb to the top of the cathedral, in other words, the tower. I hear the views are pretty mesmerizing! The cost to climb up and enter the tower is €8. 50 and there is also the crypt you can check out for €6. 00. However, there is no entrance fee to enter the church itself! Be prepared to wait for some time though! The lines usually take about twenty minutes; they do move along pretty quickly so do not be deterred by the long lines! The interior is undoubtedly worth checking out!

As you can see, the Notre Dame is an important work of art in the French history. But it was not always as important of an element it is today. In the early 1800's, the church was falling apart and it was not being tended to and nor cared for. Many people and officials neglected the stunning architecture and left it to be destroyed and watched it slowly fall into despair. They had ceased to understand the value and the importance of the Gothic architecture this cathedral was known for. Hence, the story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame came out. Victor Hugo wanted to write something that showed the significance of Gothic art and evoke some sort of emotion in the French people towards the Notre Dame. His aim was to capture the people’s heart and show that the people needed Gothic architecture. And he did just that; Victor Hugo saved the Notre Dame Cathedral from crumbling into its demise by writing one of the best-known Gothic pieces of art in history! His story did reach out many people and Victor Hugo was and has been recognized for his noteworthy literary work over many years.

The Notre Dame's surrounding areas

There are many interesting spots surrounding the famous cathedral! I will list some of these places for you to check out! You definitely do not want to miss out on any of these attractions.

1. The courtyard/square in front of the Notre Dame : this is the perfect place to take some great pictures and admire the stunning facade of the church. It is usually pretty crowded and on the right side of the courtyard, there is a monument depicting Charlemagne on a horse. Another reason this place is a great opportunity for pictures is there are many pigeons and other birds flocking to this square. You can call them to your hand or your shoulder if you have some crumbs on you! Be cautious of men who approach you and offer to help you with this. They are sometimes plotting with pickpockets to distract you from your things so pickpockets can have easy access. Just beware!
2. Shakespeare and Company: if you’ve watched the movie, “A Midnight in Paris, ” you will remember this famous place where Owen Wilsons’s character visits. This is such a cool artsy place if you are into literature and are a bookish person! I would definitely advise you to check it out. The bookstore has been around since 1919 so it is almost 100 years old! It houses thousands of books, new and old! The shop even allows writers to stay overnight in exchange for some help inside the shop. I remember reading that the place can accommodate about five to six writers at a time, which is pretty cool! Another cool fact about this place is that it was frequented by many well- known writers such as Gertrude Stein, Scott F. Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and James Joyce. It is pretty neat knowing that almost a century ago, this bookstore gem served as a haunt for the famous writers of the Lost Generation. There is also a cafe next door under the same name, where you can grab a croissant and a coffee and just chill and read a book or just admire the Notre Dame Cathedral from a side view, which is quite the sight! The artsy cafe has also put out a few chess board tables in front of its shop so you can also play a game of chess with a stranger or just observe one. An important thing to note, because it is a highly popular place among tourists, do expect a long line formed in front of the bookstore!

   

3. Rue de la Huchette : this vibrant and quirky street is located right across from the cathedral. It is part of the well- known Latin Quarter! Here you can find a bunch of cafes and restaurants; the ideal place for the best cheap eats in Paris! If you are in the mood for a crepe to go (or you can eat inside), a gyro or some delicious French cuisine for a lower price, then you should definitely check out this street. There are such good deals for meals. For instance, you can get different priced meals (10€, 15€ or 20€) with an appetizer, a main course, and dessert + a drink + a basket of bread! The food is not 5 stars but the ones we have had have been rather tasty and very good deals for the prices we paid!

   

   Also, if you are shopping for souvenirs, look no more! You can find souvenirs of all kinds including shirts, keychains, cups, snow globes, scarves, etc. for low prices! And the quality is the same as what you would find on top of the Galeries Lafayette. And of course, do not forget to haggle a bit because they will lower the price. I love this street because it is a lot of fun with friends and I would say, it is one of my favorite streets in Paris without a doubt!

   

4. Le Caveau de la Huchette (Jazz Club) : this cute, quaint jazz club is situated right on the lively neighborhood of Rue de la Huchette. So if you are into Jazz music and swing dancing, this is definitely your point of interest! It was closed when I stumbled across it but I hear it is a great outing in Paris! By the way, any film buffs? or La La Land fans?! A scene in the movie was shot in this very jazz club! How neat is that? For those who are interested, here is a link for the exact clip. I loved this movie! I thought it was one of the best musical films that have been released in a while so when I stumbled upon the club, I was very excited to learn this bit of information! Since I have yet to visit and check out the place for myself, I do not have information regarding the cost, etc. but according to Trip Advisor, the entrance cost is 15 Euros and drinks (alcohol and non-alcohol) range from 6 Euros to 12 Euros. The reviews online are highly positive and many say it is worth every penny!

   

   

5. Square Jean XXIII : this cute little garden is located right behind the cathedral. It is the perfect place to relax and escape the sun! There is a mini pond in the center of the garden and also, for those who have grown weary of walking around, you can chill on one of the many benches which are readily available to sit down. The trees sort of envelope around the garden creating a shady space to rest. There is also a small play area within the garden where you can find a swing and a couple of other playground equipment to entertain little ones. Here is a view of the Notre Dame from the Square Jean XXIII:

   

6. The Seine : There are a few accesses to the Seine river near the Notre Dame. You can grab something to eat from rue de la Huchette and buy a bottle of wine and chill along the banks of the beautiful river. There is no better way to spend a beautiful day than sitting along the banks of the Seine with a glass of wine, friends and some light guitar music wafting in through the background. Doesn’t that just sound like the most perfect day in Paris?! However, do not hang around the banks of the Seine during night hours, especially when it is dark as there are many sketchy people hanging out there. It is definitely not the safest place to be wandering around during late hours.

   

   

7. Place Dauphine: before I go into why you should visit this hidden gem, I want to say a couple of things about the apartments surrounding this courtyard. These apartments are some of the most beautiful buildings in the city and I believe it portrays the ideal Parisian building. The buildings are very Parisian, with limestone facades and a soft pink touch on others. It is such a quaint, cute little courtyard! If you look at Place Dauphine on the map, you will notice it is located on the tip of the Île de la Cité. Another reason this place is worth stopping by is that there are usually several games of pétanque taking place in this courtyard. The first time I saw a game of pétanque, I did not know what it was so I sat on one of the benches and decided to observe the game. I wouldn’t say it is one of the most enthusiastic sports out there but it is definitely cool to learn about! After all, it is one of the traditional games of the French. Since it is not the most exciting game, you would not think many people played it but there are actually loads of people playing the sport in and around the parks of Paris!

   

8. Bird + Flower Market on Sundays: If you are visiting the Notre Dame (or if you are around the area) on a Sunday, then you can visit the bird and flower market right around the corner of the cathedral! You can literally find any flower you need or want. It was a pretty cool and lively thing to experience after taking in the gothic architecture of the Notre Dame.

   

   

Last but not least, I briefly want to write about the wonderful Notre Dame light show that I attended back in November of this year. The event was organized to honor those who served and lost their lives during the great wars. I am not aware of the people or the group who organized the event but I think it was the cathedral (not positive so do not hold me on that). The spectacular light and sound show was displayed by using a projector. The beautiful love story was projected onto the facade of the cathedral, which served as the projection screen. The demonstration took place over the course of three days and there were crowds of people gathered to watch the show every night. It was free of charge however if you wanted to attend the event, you still needed to book your tickets in advance as there were a limited amount available. The seating area in the courtyard of the Notre Dame could only seat a certain amount of people so as you can imagine, tickets went out pretty quickly. I was not able to reserve any tickets but no worries, those who did not have tickets, gathered around the cathedral to watch. And if you have not noticed, the church is ginormous so the facade was easily viewable from the streets! The crowds extended all the way to the monument of Saint- Michel. It was a beautiful night to remember! Here are a couple of shots from the night to give you an idea of how beautiful the show was:

Without a doubt, Notre- Dame is one of the most important landmarks of Paris. Now that you know a little more about this spectacular Gothic cathedral and its interesting surrounding areas, I hope I have evoked an interest in you to travel to Paris and visit this famous church!

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