Notre-Dame Cathedral Fast Facts
- Length: 420 feet (128 meters)
- Width: 157 feet (48 meters)
- Nave roof height: 115 feet (35 meters)
- Tower height: 226 feet (69 meters)
- Spire height: 315 feet (96 meters)
- Only the cathedral’s three great rose windows retain their original 13th century glass
Notre-Dame de Paris Timeline
Notre-Dame Cathedral is an important part of France’s history and has witnessed significant moments in history.
1163
Pope Alexander III celebrates Easter in Paris and lays the first stone of the cathedral
1239
Saint Louis bring the crown of thorn relics to Notre-Dame Cathedral
1431
Opening of Joan of Arc’s trial
1447
King Charles VII celebrates the recovery of Paris from the English at the end of the Hundred Years War with a Te Deum (hymn of festivals and triumphs)
1789
The cathedral becomes State property by decree nationalizing the property of the clergy on November 2, 1789
1793
The cathedral is transformed into a Temple of Reason by the Paris Commune
1804
Napoleon Bonaparte is crowned emperor by Pope Pius VII in Notre-Dame Cathedral
1831
Victor Hugo’s Notre-Dame de Paris is published, renewing interest in Notre-Dame Cathedral
1944
Notre-Dame’s bells ring for the liberation of Paris towards the end of World War II
1945
Cardinal Suhard greets General de Gaulle and members of the French government, as well as ambassadors of the US, USSR and Great Britain for a commemoration Mass on May 9, 1945. During the service a Te Deum of thanksgiving for the victory is sung, followed by the Marseillaise
1980
Pope John Paul II is invited to Notre-Dame Cathedral by UNESCO, the episcopate and civil authorities
2008
Pope Benedict XVI launches Notre-Dame Cathedral’s 850th anniversary commemorations
2017
Creation of Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris and launch of international fundraising campaign to restore Notre-Dame Cathedral
2019
A devastating fire on April 15, 2019 destroys Notre-Dame’s spire, much of the roof and causes extensive damage