around Notre-Dame de Paris 1 Sainte-Chapelle Sainte-Chapelle is a precious vestige of what was once the palace of the French kings, from the 10th to the 14th century. Constructed in a flamboyant Gothic style, the building was commissioned by Saint Louis. In the lower chapel, devoted to the Virgin Mary, the azure ceiling of the chapel, studded with gilded fleur-de-lis, is Cathedral of a truly magnificent sight. The upper chapel,designed to house relics of Christ’s Pas- Notre-Dame sion,predominantly red and blue stained-glasslost during the Revolution, features de Paris windows, a masterpiece of the genre, datingfrom the 13th century. The cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, 8 bd du Palais (1st). M Cité.o a 01 53 40 60 80. Daily, except 1 Jan, 1 May jewel of Gothic architecture, is France’s most and 25 Dec. 1 Apr to 30 Sept: 9am-7pm. 1 Oct visited monument. It is situated at the tip of to 31 March: 9am-5pm. Full rate: €10. Joint the Île de la Cité. Construction of the cathe- ticket with the Conciergerie/full rate: €15. dral began in the Middle Ages and continued www.sainte-chapelle.fr over several centuries. Badly damaged dur- ing the French Revolution, the cathedral was restored in the 19th century under the direc- Go tion of architect Viollet-le-Duc. For decades, visitors have marvelled at its rose windows, stained glass, the great organ (comprising - 5 keyboards, 56 notes and 7,374 pipes), chap- els, Treasure, spire and gargoyles … In April 2019, a huge fire destroyed the roof of the building, resulting in the closing of the cathe- 2 Conciergerie dral to visitors. The towers, which afforded a The building is the oldest remaining part spectacular view of Paris, are therefore no of the Palais de la Cité, the first royal res- longer accessible to visitors. You can admire idence. In 1790, it was transformed into a them from the parvis … on which you will dis- revolutionary court and housed one of the cover the ‘kilometre zero’ plaque, from which most ruthless prisons of the period. Queen point road distances in France are calcu- Marie-Antoinette and Robespierre i lated. On this same parvis is the entrance to were the crypt of Notre-Dame, where visitors can two of the most famous people imprisoned see the foundations and vestiges of build- at the Conciergerie. Highlights include the ings constructed between the Gallo-Roman Salle des Gens d’Armes (Hall of the Men-at- Brég period and the 17th century. Arms) (1302), the medieval kitchens (1350- 6 parvis Notre-Dame. Place Jean-Paul II (4th). 1364), several cells and the poignant expi- M Cité.o atory chapel dedicated to Marie-Antoinette. • CATHEDRAL: www.notredamedeparis.fr • ARCHAEOLOGICAL CRYPT OF THE ÎLE DE LA CITÉ: Closure possible due to work at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, contact for details. 01 55 42 50 10. www.crypte.paris.fr HISTORIC HEART 17 l dL enoi pf . e . .