Notre-Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame Cathedral is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. This cathedral is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. The innovative use of the rib vault and flying buttress, the enormous and colorful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration all set it apart from earlier Romanesque architecture. The cathedral was begun in 1160 and largely completed by 1260, though it was modified frequently in the following centuries. The stained glass windows of Notre-Dame, particularly the three rose windows, are among the most famous features of the cathedral. As the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Paris, Notre-Dame contains the cathedra of the Archbishop of Paris. 12 million people visit Notre-Dame yearly, which makes it the most visited monument in Paris.