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Notre-Dame de Paris

Medieval Catholic cathedral in Paris

Notre-Dame de Paris, a Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, is known for its architectural features like rib vaults, rose windows, and sculptures. Construction started in 1163 and underwent restoration in the 19th century. It holds significant relics and is a symbol of Paris and France.

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Timeline

Laying of the first stone of Notre-Dame de Paris

In 1163, King Louis VII and Pope Alexander III laid the first stone of Notre-Dame de Paris, marking the beginning of the construction of this iconic cathedral.

Early Bell-Ringing at Notre-Dame

The practice of bell-ringing at Notre-Dame is recorded as early as 1198. By the end of the 14th century, the bells were marking the civil hours, and in 1472 they began to call to prayer for the Angelus three times a day.

Completion of Notre-Dame de Paris

By 1250, the choir, the western facade, and the nave of Notre-Dame de Paris were completed. Over the next 100 years, porches, chapels, and other embellishments were added to the cathedral.

Construction of Early Organ

One of the earliest organs at Notre-Dame Cathedral was built in 1403 by Frédéric Schambantz. Over the years, it underwent several rebuilds and modifications by different organ builders.

Coronation of Henry VI of England as King of France

On 16 December 1431, the boy-king Henry VI of England was crowned king of France in Notre-Dame at the age of ten, as the traditional coronation church of Reims Cathedral was under French control.

Marriage of James V and Madeleine of France at Notre Dame Cathedral

In 1537, James V, king of Scotland, married Madeleine of France at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, highlighting the cathedral's role in royal ceremonies.

Rioting Huguenots damaging statues at Notre-Dame

In 1548, rioting Huguenots damaged some of the statues of Notre-Dame, considering them idolatrous.

Addition of fountain in Notre-Dame's parvis

The fountain in Notre-Dame's parvis was added in 1625 to provide nearby Parisians with running water.

Donation of grands mays by Parisian goldsmith guild

Since 1630, the Parisian goldsmith guild began donating a large altarpiece every year on the first of May to Notre-Dame, known as the grands mays, depicting episodes from the Acts of the Apostles.

Disturbance of Choir Tombs

During a major renovation project in 1699, many of the choir tombs at Notre-Dame Cathedral were disturbed or covered over. Exhumed remains were reburied in a common tomb beside the high altar.

Altarpiece depicting the Visitation by Jean Jouvenet

An altarpiece depicting the Visitation, painted by Jean Jouvenet in 1707, was located in Notre-Dame.

Creation of Choir Crypt

In 1711, a small crypt was dug out in the middle of the choir at Notre-Dame Cathedral to be used as a burial vault for archbishops who had not requested to be buried elsewhere. The excavation led to the discovery of the 1st-century Pillar of the Boatmen.

Donation of Mechanical Clock to Notre-Dame

In 1766, Guillot de Montjoye and Jean-Bernard de Vienne, canons of Notre-Dame, donated a mechanical clock to the cathedral. The clock was initially placed in a glass cabinet beneath the north rose window and later moved to the north tower.

French Revolution and Notre-Dame Cathedral

During the French Revolution, Notre-Dame Cathedral was seized by the nation and transformed into a 'Temple of Reason'. The cathedral was looted and vandalized, with many statues destroyed.

Notre Dame Cathedral Rededicated to the Cult of Reason

In 1793, during the French Revolution, Notre Dame Cathedral was taken over and rededicated to the Cult of Reason. This marked a significant shift in the use of the cathedral for non-religious purposes.

Notre Dame Cathedral Rededicated to the Cult of the Supreme Being

In 1794, during the French Revolution, Notre Dame Cathedral was rededicated to the Cult of the Supreme Being. This further emphasized the shift away from religious use of the cathedral.

After the concordat of 1801, Napoleon Bonaparte assumed power in France and oversaw the restoration of Notre Dame to its former glory.

Napoleon's Coronation at Notre Dame

Napoleon's coronation took place at Notre Dame in 1804, where the cathedral underwent quasi-Gothic modifications and adopted neoclassical features on the exterior.

Notre-Dame awarded honorary status as a minor basilica

In 1805, Notre-Dame Cathedral was awarded honorary status as a minor basilica, recognizing its importance in the Catholic Church.

Transfer of relics to Notre-Dame

In 1806, the relics of the Sainte Chapelle were moved to Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Rioters ransack Notre-Dame during July Revolution

In 1830, Notre-Dame Cathedral was ransacked by rioters during the July Revolution, with city authorities considering its complete destruction.

Publication of Victor Hugo's Notre-Dame de Paris

Victor Hugo's novel 'Notre-Dame de Paris' was published in 1831, also known as 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame'. This novel inspired interest in the cathedral and led to its restoration between 1844 and 1864.

King Louis Philippe's Order to Restore Notre Dame

In 1844, King Louis Philippe issued a decree to restore Notre Dame cathedral, emphasizing the importance of preserving its historical and architectural significance.

Restoration of Notre-Dame begins

Architects Jean-Baptiste Lassus and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc were entrusted with the restoration of Notre-Dame in 1845.

Installation of Collin-Wagner Clock at Notre-Dame

During Viollet-le-Duc's restoration in the 19th century, a new clock was made for Notre-Dame. The 1867 Collin-Wagner movement controlled four clock faces on the transept roofs, but it was destroyed in the 2019 fire.

Dedication of New Organ

During the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, a new organ was built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll and dedicated in 1868.

Completion of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889, surpassing the height of the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Liberation of Paris

On August 25, 1944, the bells of Notre-Dame sounded the liberation of Paris. The next day, a Magnificat was sung in the cathedral in the presence of General de Gaulle.

Discovery of Statues and Sculptures from Notre Dame Cathedral

In 1977, statues and sculptures from Notre Dame Cathedral that were previously plundered or destroyed during the French Revolution were found during an excavation. These artifacts are now displayed at Musee de Cluny.

Requiem Mass of François Mitterrand

The Requiem Mass of François Mitterrand, a past French head of state, was held at the cathedral on 11 January 1996.

Millennium Celebrations Restoration

In December 1999, the west face of the cathedral was cleaned and restored in time for millennium celebrations, as part of a decade-long renovation program that began in 1991.

Ringing of bells at Notre Dame Cathedral to mark 9/11 attacks

The bells of Notre Dame Cathedral were rung to mark the destruction of New York's Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, showcasing solidarity and remembrance.

Requiem Mass of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger

The Requiem Mass of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, former archbishop of Paris and Jewish convert to Catholicism, was held in Notre-Dame on 10 August 2007.

Replacement of Bells in North Tower

In 2012, as part of the cathedral's 850th anniversary celebration, four new bells were made for the north tower. These replaced the existing bells.

Recasting of Bells

In 2013, the set of four 19th-century bells at the top of the northern towers at Notre-Dame were melted down and recast into new bronze bells to celebrate the building's 850th anniversary.

Tridentine Mass celebrated in Notre-Dame

In 2017, a Tridentine Mass, also known as the Traditional Latin Mass, was celebrated at Notre-Dame Cathedral, showcasing the rich religious heritage of the site.

Second Major Renovation Project

A major renovation project was launched by the French government to address critical conditions of Notre Dame Cathedral due to time, weather, pollution, and the inferior quality of stone used in the 19th century restoration.

Notre-Dame Fire

A devastating fire broke out at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, causing significant damage to the historic landmark.

Notre-Dame Cathedral rebuild milestone

The rebuild of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reached a significant milestone as the melted scaffolding was cleared.

Broadcast of Choir Performance Video

A video of the choir performance inside Notre-Dame Cathedral was aired just before midnight on December 24, 2020, showcasing the first performance since the fire.

Notre-Dame de Paris

Information about Notre-Dame de Paris, including its design and architecture, can be found on the Designing Buildings website.

End of the Timeline
Notre-Dame de Paris

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