Rising from the Ile de la Cite in the heart of Paris, Notre-Dame has anchored the spiritual and cultural life of the city for more than eight centuries. Construction began in 1163 and took nearly 200 years to complete, resulting in one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture ever built. Its flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, and enormous rose windows revolutionized medieval construction, while the carved portal figures and fearsome gargoyles have fired imaginations from Victor Hugo’s pages to modern cinema. The cathedral has witnessed coronations, revolutions, and the everyday devotions of countless Parisians who consider it the heart of their city.

The devastating fire of April 2019 shocked the world, but it also revealed the extraordinary depth of affection people hold for this monument. A painstaking restoration effort brought together master craftspeople using both traditional techniques and modern engineering to rebuild the oak-framed spire and repair the vaulted ceiling. The reopened cathedral invites visitors to once again marvel at the light streaming through its medieval stained glass and to stand beneath the soaring nave that rises over 30 meters above the stone floor.

Pro tip: Walk around the exterior along the south side of the Ile de la Cite for some of the best photographs, especially in the late afternoon when the golden light illuminates the flying buttresses. The nearby Shakespeare and Company bookshop is the perfect companion stop.