Notre Dame de Paris has officially reopened after five years of restoration following the devastating 2019 fire. Over 1000 master artisans helped bring the Cathedral back to life. Visitors can once again marvel at its stunning architecture and rich history. But beyond its iconic silhouette, this landmark hides fascinating tales that even avid Francophiles may not know. Let’s uncover five little-known stories of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Not the First Time Destruction Loomed
The 2019 fire may be fresh in our minds, but Notre Dame has faced near-destruction before. After the French Revolution, the cathedral was so severely damaged that some called for its complete demolition. Thankfully, two pivotal events turned the tide: Napoleon’s Coronation in 1804 and Victor Hugo’s Novel in Notre Dame de Paris published in 1831. This ignited public passion for the cathedral, leading to a restoration campaign in 1845.
Without these events, the Cathedral may not be standing today!
Off with Their Heads!
Nothing screams French history quite like a tale of beheaded statues. During the French Revolution, the 28 statues in the Gallery of Kings of Judah, located above the central portal, were mistaken for French monarchs. They’re actually kings from the old testaments. Revolutionaries decapitated them in an act of defiance.Fast forward to 1977, when construction workers discovered 21 of these severed heads buried at a private mansion in Paris’s 9th arrondissement. Today, the original heads reside in the Cluny Museum, while their replacements adorn the cathedral facade, restored to their regal glory.
A Not-So-Divine Self-Portrait
Ever thought a 19th-century architect might leave a sneaky signature? That’s exactly what Eugène Viollet-le-Duc did during his restoration work. He sculpted himself as Saint Thomas, the patron saint of architects, gazing thoughtfully at the spire he designed. It’s a subtle yet clever nod to his work—a legacy within a legacy.
Built on Sacred Ground
Notre Dame wasn’t the first church to stand on Île de la Cité. The site has hosted four earlier churches, some dating back to the 4th century. Stones from these older structures were reused to construct the Notre Dame we know today, layering centuries of Parisian history into its foundation.And if you’d like to learn more about the history of the city, when it was once called Lutetia, make sure you visit the Cryptes Archéologiques de l’Île de la Cité, right in front of the Cathedral. You’ll find yourself underground, below the church!
A Crown Fit for a King
Among Notre Dame’s most sacred relics is what’s believed to be the Crown of Thorns worn by Christ during the Crucifixion. It was saved from the fire and stored in the Louvres. For it’s return, the Archbishop of Paris commissioned artist Sylvain Dubuisson who designed an extraordinary reliquary. You can find it the chapel furthest to the east, behind Marc Couturier’s Croix de la Gloire. This reliquary will house not only the Crown of Thorns but also a fragment of the Wood of the Cross and a Nail from the Crucifixion—some of the most sacred relics for Christians.
Going to Visit?
Notre Dame de Paris isn’t just an architectural marvel—it’s a treasure trove of history and culture. Next time you visit, keep these little-known stories of Notre Dame Cathedral in mind, and you’ll appreciate this French icon in an entirely new light.
As for how to reserve your tickets: the online reservations are tricky to obtain as they only open the portal for the following 2 days at midnight. I went without a reservation, at around 8am on a Sunday and didn’t wait in line to get in. By the time I exited the cathedral, there was a long line that filled up the whole courtyard. The line did seem to move quite quickly, but if you can’t get your hands on reservation, head to the cathedral early! It’s open at 7:45am Monday through Friday and 8:15am Saturday and Sunday.
