Discover the Secrets of Paris: 9 Unbelievable Fun Facts About Notre-Dame Cathedral

1. 180-Year Construction Party

In a classic case of "I'll be done in a jiffy" that took a “mere” 180 years, the builders of Notre Dame Cathedral really knew how to keep the suspense going: The iconic Gothic masterpiece was carefully crafted between 1163 and 1345, showcasing stunning stained glass windows, gargoyles, flying buttresses, and unforgettable memories – such as Napoleon's crowning, royal weddings, and the original north rose window, still watching over visiting pilgrims and camera-toting tourists with saintly serenity. Don't forget, King Saint Louis IX chipped in with the south rose panel too; isn't that "stained-glass-tastic"?!
Source => afar.com

2. Tower Tall as a Parisian Giraffe

You'd have to crane your neck like a Parisian giraffe to take in all of Notre Dame's majesty: With its tower standing tall at 226 feet (69 meters) and its spire – tragically lost in the 2019 fire – reaching an even loftier 315 feet (96 meters), this architectural gem bestows a whole new meaning to the term "a soaring tribute."
Source => friendsofnotredamedeparis.org

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3. Heavyweight Bell Ensemble

When the Notre Dame bells chime, it's not just Quasimodo dishing out the tunes, but a whole ensemble of heavyweight musicians: The Notre Dame bells, affectionately called "the cathedral's voice," feature Emmanuel, the 13,000 kg showstopper cast in 1686, alongside an orchestra of clanging members like Marie, Gilbert, Guillaume, Pasquier, Chambellan, Louis, Nicholas, and Luc – no Grammys, but surely a ton of talent!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Royal Beheaded Statues' Comeback

In a classic case of "Off with their heads!", the Old Testaments kings must have felt like they were stuck in a real-life game of thrones when French Revolutionaries got a tad too carried away while plundering Notre-Dame de Paris: Luckily, 21 of their beheaded statues were found during a 1977 excavation, like an ancient and regal version of unearthing buried treasure, and are now displayed alongside other majestic fragments from the cathedral's portals.
Source => joyofmuseums.com

5. Napoleon Becomes King of Canvas

When Napoleon decided to be crowned the king of the canvas: The Louvre Museum in Paris boasts the massive painting "The Coronation of Napoleon" by Jacques-Louis David, which captures the historic event at Notre-Dame de Paris. Commissioned by Napoleon in 1804 and started in 1805, this 10-meter-wide and 6-meter-tall artistic gem showcases the who's who of the Coronation, including Napoleon, Josephine de Beauharnais, and Josepha Bonaparte, as a coveted slice of neoclassical art history.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Flying Buttresses Save the Day

If the Hunchback of Notre-Dame had a group chat, the flying buttresses would undoubtedly be the unsung heroes: During the 2019 fire, they played a critical role in preventing the total collapse of the cathedral, remaining mostly unscathed despite significant damage to the roof and spire.
Source => friendsofnotredamedeparis.org

7. Quasimodo Sparks Gothic Revival

You know what they say – the pen is mightier than the wrecking ball! Notre Dame Cathedral found a literary savior in a hunchback named Quasimodo: Victor Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" didn't exactly save the cathedral from destruction, but it did ignite a renewed interest in Gothic architecture, leading to a much-needed restoration in the mid-19th century.
Source => thedailybeast.com

8. Rooftop Buzzing Bee Social

Who needs rooftop bars when you can have rooftop bees, buzzing and mingling in the heart of Paris: The Notre Dame Cathedral, amongst many other notable structures, is home to urban beekeeping where over 700 hives are maintained across the city, including three hives on a lower roof of the cathedral, housing an estimated 60,000 bees each before the 2019 fire.
Source => theguardian.com

9. Disney's Deep-Rooted Messages

Quasimodo may have ditched his literary roots, but he still bell-ieves in a deeper message: Despite Disney's deviations from Victor Hugo's novel, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" preserves significant themes, such as the exploration of the difference between a monster and a man.
Source => screenrant.com