The Notre Dame de Paris
stands on the site of
Proceeded by a Gallo-Roman temple to Jupiter, a Christian
basilica, and a Romanesque church, construction of Notre-Dame de Paris began in
1163 during the reign of Louis VII. Pope Alexander III laid the foundation
stone. Construction began in 1163,
during the reign of Louis VII, and opinion differs as to whether Bishop Maurice
de Sully or Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone of the cathedral.
However, both were at the ceremony in question. Bishop de Sully went on to
devote most of his life and wealth to the cathedral's construction.
Construction of the west
front, with its distinctive two towers, only began circa 1200, before the nave
had been completed. Over the construction period, numerous architects worked on
the site, as is evidenced by the differing styles at different heights of the
west front and towers. Between 1210 and 1220, the fourth architect oversaw the
construction of the level with the rose window and the great halls beneath the
towers. The towers were completed around 1245, and the cathedral was completed
around 1345.
Construction was completed roughly 200 years
later in about 1345.The reigns of Louis XIV (end of the 17th century) and Louis
XV saw significant alterations including the destruction of tombs, and stained
glass.
At the end of the 18th
century, during the Revolution, many of the treasures of the cathedral were
either destroyed or plundered. Only the great bells avoided being melted down,
and the Cathedral was dedicated first to the cult of Reason, and to the cult of
the Supreme being. The church interior was used as a
warehouse for the storage of forage and food. After falling into disrepair, a
restoration program overseen by Lassus (died 1857)
and Viollet-le-Duc, was carried out in 1845. This
program lasted 23 years, and included the construction of the spire (see image)
and the sacristy