Why is Notre Dame de Paris special?

Answer 1

From an architectural point of view it is notable for its unity, having been built in a single continuous project (albeit lasting from 1172 to 1340) and to a single plan and in a single style. Most Cathedrals were built in stages, the style changing with the development of the Gothic, and restored, extended and amended in different styles down the centuries.

Answer 2

Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) is one of the earliest Gothic cathedrals; it was ground-breaking architecture when it was built. It was among the first buildings anywhere to employ the flying butress, enabling walls to be thinner and windows to be larger and higher. French kings were crowned in Notre Dame, as was Napolean Bonaparte. It is considered to be "the" church of France.

Answer 3

Notre Dame was built from 1143 onwards. It was a major cathedral in a Catholic country and hosted many historical events (the crowning of Napoleon as emperor, for instance) or fictional like "the Huntchback of Notre-Dame". It is located at the very heart of ancient Paris and right on front of it you have the brass marker from where you measure distances to any town in France, to Paris. As a landmark is is the most visited monument in France (over 13 million visitors annually), France being itself the most visited country in the world.

Answer 4

Quasimodo lived there!