10 Must-See Sites in Paris

1. Notre-Dame

The “heart” of the country, both geographically and spiritually, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame (Our Lady) stands majestic on the Ile de la Cite. After Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone in 1163, an army of craftsmen toiled for 170 years to realize Bishop Maurice de Sully’s magnificent design. Almost destroyed during the Revolution, the Gothic masterpiece was restored in 1841-64 by architect Viollet-le-Duc. Some 130 metres in length with a high-vaulted nave and double side aisles, it also contains France’s largest organ.

Must-See Site: Portal of the Virgin is a splendid stone tympanum carved in the 13th century and shows the Virgin Mary’s death and glorious coronation in heaven. However, the Virgin and Child carving seen between the doors is a modern replica.