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Notre Dame actors. Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris), description, photo! Cathedral in the 19th century

Great writer. The action begins with a story, vagabonds who arrive in Paris and try to get to the Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris. They are stopped and driven off by a regiment of royal archers led by Captain Phoebus. The captain, betrothed to the young Fleur de Lis, looks at one of the gypsies - Esmeralda. She is under the patronage of a gypsy baron, as she was left without parents.

Esmeralda is no stranger to male attention. The bell-ringer of Notre Dame, a hunchback named Quasimodo, who is trying with all his might to please the gypsy, is also in love with her. Priest Frollo is also not indifferent to the beauty, but his love borders on hatred. He accuses Esmeralda of witchcraft and persuades Quasimodo to kidnap the girl. The plans are thwarted by Captain Phoebus, Frollo is hiding, and Quasimodo is arrested by the royal guards and sentenced to be wheeled, but he manages to escape, not without the help of Esmeralda.

Meanwhile, the gypsy falls in love with Phoebus: she agrees to come on a date, spends the night with him. The priest, who learned about this, bursts into their bedroom and wounds the captain with Esmeralda's dagger, while he himself hides again. Now the girl is accused of being a royal shooter, a mortal awaits her. The judge is the two-faced Frollo: after Esmeralda refuses to become his mistress, he orders her to be hanged. And Captain Phoebus, having recovered, returns to his bride.

Only in 1163, already under Louis VII, one of the leaders of the Second Crusade, when a special Gothic style started building the cathedral. Bishop Maurice de Sully supervised all construction work. He sought to create an unusual temple that would accommodate a whole

Musical "Notre Dame de Paris"

The musical "Notre Dame de Paris" is first and foremost a spectacle. And it's also fifty songs about love, amazing voices, melodic music that combines French chanson and gypsy motifs. "Notre Dame" captures from the first second. From the first second to the very curtain. Now it is difficult to find a person who would not have heard about the musical or would not have listened to the musical itself, if not the whole, then at least excerpts, perhaps not even realizing that this is Notre Dame de Paris. It is safe to say that this musical is the most recognized and most famous in the whole world. And the performers of the main roles won worldwide recognition. The fame of the musical spread long before the premiere, which took place on September 16, 1998 in Paris. The official premiere was preceded by a disc with the songs of the musical, which made a real sensation, having won the top of various charts in many countries. The most famous song musical "Belle" became an independent world hit and received several music awards. Of course, after such a success of the released album, the premiere was eagerly awaited, and not in vain. The musical was a huge success and even got into the Guinness Book of Records as the most attended in the first year on stage. We can say that the success of Notre Dame de Paris was predetermined. It was taken as a basis work of genius Victor Hugo's "Notre Dame Cathedral", the music for the musical was written by the talented Italian-French composer Riccardo Coccante, the libretto was written by Luc Plamondon, known throughout the world for his huge contribution to music. He is even called the Most Popular and Greatest Lyricist of Francophonie. If we add to this the stellar acting of the musical and the excellent well-coordinated game of the participants, it becomes clear why queues form at the ticket offices, and the audience comes to see Notre Dame for the second time, and sometimes even for the third or fourth time ...

"Notre Dame de Paris" - the history of the creation of the musical

Based on the novel Notre Dame Cathedral, several films were created, and even a cartoon. For several centuries, the story of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda and the hunchback Quasimodo has taken the soul of readers and viewers around the world. Luc Plamondon also decided to dedicate the musical to this tragic history. In 1993, Plamondon compiled an approximate libretto for 30 songs and showed it to Coccante, with whom he had already collaborated (“L’amour existe encore”, performed by Celine Dion). The composer had already prepared several melodies: "Belle", "Le temps des cathédrales" and "Danse mon Esmeralda". The authors of the musical have been working for 5 years. 8 months before the official premiere, a disc with studio recordings of 16 songs was released theatrical production performed by the artists of the musical, with the exception of the parts of Esmeralda. This album rocketed to the top of the charts, and the performers of the songs became stars in an instant. The composition "Belle" was written the very first and became the most famous song musical.

Having won huge success in his native France, the musical began its triumphal procession around the world. Brussels and Milan, Geneva and Las Vegas. Notre Dame de Paris was the first French musical to make a breakthrough on the American stage. Broadway audiences are accustomed to the fact that the most best musicals made by compatriots. And although "Notre Dame" broke through not to Broadway, but to Las Vegas, the success of the musical was undeniable. The premiere of "Notre Dame de Paris" in Russia took place on May 21, 2002. The sensational musical was staged at the Moscow Operetta Theater. Julius Kim, who translated the libretto from French, compares working on the text with hard labor. When it was announced that work had begun on the Russian version of the musical, the authors began to receive translations from both professional and non-professional poets. And some of the translations were so good that Julius Kim agreed to include them in final version. Thus, in the final version of the musical, Susanna Tsiryuk became the author of the translation of "Belle". Her translation of the compositions "Live", "Sing to me, Esmeralda" was also included. And the song "My Love" was translated by a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl Dasha Golubotskaya.

"Notre Dame de Paris" - the plot of the musical

After the death of her mother, the gypsy Esmeralda was under the care of the gypsy king Clopin. A camp of gypsies tries to sneak into Paris to take refuge in Notre Dame Cathedral, but they are chased away by the royal soldiers. The captain of the skirmishers, Phoebe de Chateaupier, turns his attention to Esmeralda. She attracts him with her beauty, but the captain is not free, he is engaged to fourteen-year-old Fleur-de-Lys.

The hunchbacked and lame bell-ringer of Notre-Dame Cathedral comes to the feast of jesters to see Esmeralda. Quasimodo is in love with her, he sees an unearthly beauty in her, she is his complete opposite. He receives the title of King of Jesters. But his stepfather and mentor Frollo, archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral, rips off the crown from Quasimodo. He accuses the hunchback of witchcraft and forbids him even to raise his eyes to Esmiralda. Frollo is also secretly in love with a gypsy, and jealousy overwhelms him. However, a priest has no right to love a woman. Therefore, he wants to kidnap Esmeralda and lock her in the tower of the Cathedral. The archdeacon shares his plans with Quasimodo.

They try to kidnap Esmeralda, but Phoebe's detachment was not far away, protecting the beauty. The abduction is also witnessed by the poet Gringoire, who was following Esmeralda. Frollo managed to get out of the water clean, no one even guesses who participated in the kidnapping. And Quasimodo is arrested. Frollo hears how, taking advantage of the moment, Phoebus appoints Esmeralda a meeting in the "Valley of Love" tavern. The "Court of Miracles" is a place where criminals and thieves, vagrants and the homeless gather. Grenoir is neither a criminal nor a vagabond, but he finds himself in the abode of such people, and for this Clopin wants to hang him. Grenoir is promised to save his life if one of the girls agrees to marry him. Esmeralda agrees to help the poet, who, in turn, promises to make her his muse. Esmeralda's thoughts are full of other things. She is madly in love with the young handsome Phoebus de Chateauper. Quasimodo is accused of attempted kidnapping and sentenced to be wheeled. Frollo watches all this. Quasimodo is thirsty, and Esmeralda brings him water. The hunchback, in gratitude, allows her to enter the Cathedral and the bell tower whenever the girl wishes. Frollo is watching the captain of the shooters. Phoebe understands that the young beautiful gypsy likes it. He wants to take advantage of this and goes to Esmeralda in the Valley of Love. The archdeacon finds the beloved in bed, he grabs the gypsy's knife and wounds Phoebe, and Esmeralda is blamed for this crime. When Phoebe recovers, he returns to the bride Fleur-de-Lis. The trial of Esmeralda. She is accused of witchcraft, prostitution, an attempt on the life of the captain of the shooters. She denies everything, but she is sentenced to death by hanging. La Sante Prison Dungeon. Here the unfortunate Esmeralda awaits death. Frollo comes to make a deal: he will let her go if she agrees to accept his love and stay with him. When Esmeralda refuses him, Frollo tries to take her by force. At this time, Clopin and Quasimodo appear. The gypsy king stuns the priest to free his pupil, and Esmeralda hides in Notre Dame Cathedral. The inhabitants of the "Court of Miracles" come for her, but they meet royal soldiers on their way. A group of gypsies and vagabonds enter into an unequal battle, in which Clopin dies. Esmeralda is arrested again and Frollo gives her to the executioner. Quasimodo is looking for his beloved, but finds Frollo, who confesses that he gave Esmeralda to the executioner because he was refused by her. In anger and despair, Quasimodo throws the vile archdeacon from the tower of the Cathedral, but he himself dies, hugging the dead, but still beautiful Esmeralda.

Before you is the Russian version of the musical of the same name based on the novel by Victor Hugo "Notre Dame Cathedral". Excellent translation, brilliant acting and, of course, amazing vocals take us back to ancient times, when the beautiful Esmeralda walked along the Parisian streets. The girl who captivated the priest, the ringer and the captain. A story of love, madness, passion, sin and lawlessness.

Has been under the care of the gypsy baron Clopin since the death of his mother. After a gypsy camp tries to enter Paris and take refuge in Notre Dame Cathedral (“Les Sans-Papiers”), they are chased away by the royal soldiers (“Intervention de Frollo”) on the orders of Archdeacon Frollo. The captain of the skirmishers, Phoebus de Chateaupert, takes an interest in Esmeralda ("Bohémienne"). But he is already engaged to 14-year-old Fleur-de-Lys ("Ces Diamants-Là").

At the clownish feast, the hunchbacked, crooked and lame bell-ringer of Quasimodo Cathedral comes to look at Esmeralda, with whom he has fallen in love ("La Fête des Fous"). Because of his ugliness, he is elected King of Jesters ("Le Pape des Fous"). At this point, Quasimodo's guardian and mentor, Archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral, Claude Frollo intervenes. He rips off his jester's crown and forbids even looking at the girl, accusing her of witchcraft, and then orders the hunchback to kidnap the gypsy and lock her in the tower of the cathedral ("La Sorcière").

At night, the poet Pierre Gringoire follows Esmeralda ("Les Portes de Paris") and witnesses an attempted kidnapping. But a detachment of Phoebus was guarding nearby, and he protects the gypsy ("Tentative d'Enlèvement"). Quasimodo is arrested. The captain appoints a rescued date in the cabaret "Shelter of Love".

Gringoire ends up in the Court of Miracles - the abode of tramps, thieves and other lumpen. Clopin decides to hang him because he, not being a criminal, went there. Only the consent of any of the women living there to take him as a husband can save the poet. Esmeralda, after a suggestion from her guardian, agrees to save Pierre ("La Cour des Miracles"). He promises to make her his muse, but the gypsy is consumed by thoughts of Phoebe. She asks the man about the meaning of her lover's name ("Le Mot Phoebus", "Beau Comme Le Soleil").

For attempting to kidnap Esmeralda, Quasimodo was sentenced to be broken on the wheel ("Anarkia"). Frollo is watching this. When the hunchback asks for a drink, the girl gives him water ("À Boire").

In the market square, all three - Quasimodo, Frollo and Phoebus - confess their love to her ("Belle"). In gratitude for the water, the first one shows her the Cathedral and the bell tower, inviting her to come in whenever she wants ("Ma maison, c'est ta maison").

Frollo pursues Phoebus and together with him enters the "Shelter of Love" ("L'Ombre", "Le Val d'Amour"). Seeing the gypsy with the captain ("La Volupté"), he stabs him with the gypsy's dagger, which Esmeralda lost in Quasimodo's attack, and flees, leaving the victim to die ("Fatalité").

Act II

Esmeralda is arrested and imprisoned in La Sante ("Où Est-Elle?"). Phoebus is cured and returns to Fleur-de-Lys, who asks him to swear that the lover will be punished ("La Monture", "Je Reviens Vers Toi").

Frollo judges and tortures Esmeralda. He accuses her of witchcraft, prostitution and an attempt on Phoebus. The gypsy states that she is not involved in this. She is sentenced to death by hanging ("Le Procès", "La Torture"). An hour before the execution, Claude descends into the dungeon of La Sante prison ("Visite de Frollo à Esmeralda"). He confesses his love to the prisoner and offers to save her in exchange for reciprocity, but Esmeralda refuses ("Un matin tu dansais"). The archdeacon tries to take her by force, but at this time Clopin and Quasimodo enter the dungeon. The jester stuns the priest and frees the stepdaughter ("Libérés"), who is hiding in Notre Dame Cathedral.

The inhabitants of the "Court of Miracles" come there to take Esmeralda. Royal soldiers under the command of Phoebus enter into battle with them ("L'Attaque De Notre-Dame"). Clopin is killed. The vagabonds are expelled ("Déportés"). Claude Frollo gives the gypsy Phoebe and the executioner. Quasimodo searches for her, but meets Claude, who confesses to him that he did it because he was refused ("Mon maître mon sauveur"). The hunchback throws the owner off the cathedral and dies himself with the body of Esmeralda in his arms ("Donnez-La Moi", "Danse Mon Esmeralda").

NOTRE DAME DE PARIS

NOTRE DAME DE PARIS is the most successful musical staged in Europe in the last five years. The musical "NOTRE DAME DE PARIS", based on the novel by Victor Hugo, premiered in Paris on September 18, 1998. The production became a real bestseller, receiving awards for best performance, best song and best selling album. "NOTRE DAME DE PARIS" was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the best-selling musical. More than 7,000,000 French-language albums with the recording of the musical were sold in the world alone. World recognition came to the performers of the main roles in "NOTRE DAME DE PARIS".

The authors of such a successful production were the composer Richard Cocciante and the creator of the original version, Luc Plamondon. The latter is widely known as the lyricist of Celine Dion, as well as the author of the libretto of the famous musical "Starmania". Richard Cochante, composer of music, is incredibly popular not only as a composer, but also as a singer, performing his own works in four languages.

The idea of creating a musical originated with Luc Plamondon. In 1993, he began to search for a plot for a new musical performance in French literature. “I turned to various characters and did not even pay attention to Esmeralda. I headed straight for the letter "K" - and stopped at Quasimodo. It was then that Notre Dame Cathedral became a reality for me,” he recalls. "This is good famous history which speaks for itself and requires no explanation. That is why a dozen films have appeared on the plot of Victor Hugo's novel, starting from the time of silent films and ending with Disney cartoons. The more I watched various dramatic and ballet interpretations of the novel, the more I became convinced that I was on the right track. Rereading the novel, Plamondon makes sketches for thirty songs. Then the composer Richard Cochante joins the work. “Richard had some really great tunes that he didn't want to use on his albums. He played me motives, which later became "Dance, my Esmeralda", "Belle", "It's time for cathedrals." They were worthy to enter the musical, and that was their strength,” recalls Luke. We can say that the history of the musical began with the song "Belle".

After the successful premiere of "NOTRE DAME DE PARIS" in Paris, the musical began its journey around the world.

The plot of the musical Notre Dame de Paris

Quasimodo loves Esmeralda, who loves Phoebe. He is married to Fleur-de-Lys, but is infatuated with a gypsy. Frollo is a witness to all this action, he himself is trapped. Carnal desire, rejected from childhood, breaks out like a volcano in front of a beauty. Gringoire pushes him into "the abyss of conscience". Frollo is even going to kill Phoebus in order to achieve the love of Esmeralda. And it is she who is accused of attempting to kill Phoebus.

Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda from prison and closes her in the tower of Notre Dame. Clopin and a gang of vagabonds break into the cathedral to free Esmeralda. Phoebus and his army are tasked with putting down the rebellion. Clopin is killed in the skirmish. Gringoire becomes a voluntary poet, thereby becoming a herald of vagabonds.

A helpless Quasimodo allows Phoebus to take Esmeralda, believing that the latter has come to rescue her. Phoebus, on the contrary, came to announce to Esmeralda that she would be hanged. Quasimodo throws Frollo off the tower of Notre Dame and arrives too late at the place of execution at Place Greve. He asks the executioner to hand over the body of Esmeralda to die with her in the chains of Montfaucon.

“Several years ago, while inspecting Notre Dame Cathedral, or, to be more precise, examining it, the author of this book found in a dark corner of one of the towers the following word inscribed on the wall: ANAGCH.

These Greek letters, darkened by Time and rather deeply cut into the stone, certain signs characteristic of Gothic writing, imprinted in the shape and arrangement of the letters, as if indicating that they were drawn by the hand of a man of the Middle Ages, and, in particular, a gloomy and fatal meaning. contained in them deeply impressed the author.

And now nothing remains of either the mysterious word carved into the wall of the gloomy tower of the cathedral, or of that unknown fate that this word so sadly denoted - nothing but the fragile memory that the author of this book dedicates to them. A few centuries ago, the person who wrote this word on the wall disappeared from among the living; the word itself disappeared from the wall of the cathedral; perhaps the cathedral itself will soon disappear from the face of the earth. This word gave birth to a real book.

Victor Hugo. From the preface to the book "Notre Dame Cathedral"

With this introduction, a novel begins that has generated so much controversy, discussion, fans, video, animation and musical productions. This article will focus on one of the most famous French musicals, after which the French "comedy musical" gained incredible popularity and gave rise to a whole wave of other musical productions.

« NOTRE DAME DE PARIS"is the most successful musical staged in Europe for last years. Premiere musical"NOTRE DAME DE PARIS", based on the novel by Victor Hugo, took place in Paris on September 18, 1998. The production became a real bestseller, receiving awards for best performance, best song and best selling album. " NOTRE DAME DE PARIS» was listed in Guinness Book of Records as the best-selling musical. More than 7,000,000 French-language albums with the recording of the musical were sold in the world alone. World recognition came to the performers of the main roles in "NOTRE DAME DE PARIS".

The composer (Richard Cocciante) and the creator of the original version (Luc Plamondon) were the authors of such a successful production. The latter is widely known as the lyricist of Celine Dion, as well as the author of the libretto of the famous musical "Starmania". Richard Cochante, composer of music, is incredibly popular not only as a composer, but also as a singer, performing his own works in four languages.

Then the composer Richard Cochante joins the work. “Richard had some really great tunes that he didn't want to use on his albums. He played me motives, which later became "Dance, my Esmeralda", "Belle", "It's time for cathedrals." They were worthy to enter the musical, and that was their strength,” recalls Luke. We can say that the history of the musical began with the song "Belle".

After a successful premiere NOTRE DAME DE PARIS in Paris, the musical began its journey around the world.

The plot of the musical Notre Dame de Paris

loves Esmeralda who loves Phoebe. He is married to fleur-de-lis, but is infatuated with a gypsy. Frollo witness to all this action, he himself is trapped. Carnal desire, rejected from childhood, breaks out like a volcano in front of a beauty. Gringoire pushes him into "the abyss of conscience." Frollo is even going to kill Phoebus in order to achieve the love of Esmeralda. And it is she who is accused of attempting to kill Phoebus.

Frollo visits her in prison to offer her to give herself to him in exchange for freedom. She refuses. He will take revenge on her.

Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda from prison and closes her in the tower of Notre Dame. Clopin and a gang of vagabonds break into the cathedral to free Esmeralda. Phoebus and his army are tasked with putting down the rebellion. Clopin is killed in the skirmish. Gringoire becomes a voluntary poet, thereby becoming a herald of vagabonds.

A helpless Quasimodo allows Phoebus to take Esmeralda, believing that the latter has come to rescue her. Phoebus, on the contrary, came to announce to Esmeralda that she would be hanged. Quasimodo throws Frollo off the tower notre dame and arrives too late at the place of execution in the Place Greve. He asks the executioner to hand over Esmeralda's body to die with her in the chains of Montfaucon...

About the novel

Victor Hugo one of the greatest French writers 19th century. He was born in 1802 and, of course, all historical events that took place in France at the beginning of the century, influenced his development as a person and as a writer. Most famous works Hugo: Les Misérables, Toilers of the Sea and 1993.

His most popular novel "Notre Dame Cathedral"(NOTRE DAME DE PARIS) was published in February 1831.

The July Revolution of 1830 shook the whole of France. The insurgent people overthrew the power of the Bourbons. The royalist nobles were replaced by representatives of the French bourgeoisie. Undoubtedly, the revolutionary upsurge and the revolution itself can explain the appearance of the largest of all the works of Hugo. The book brought the writer worldwide fame.

The plot, and indeed the whole narrative of the novel, is typically romantic: extraordinary characters acting in extraordinary circumstances, random encounters, the beautiful and the ugly coexist side by side, love and hate are intertwined and come into conflict with each other.

The cathedral is the heart of medieval Paris, all the threads are tied here romantic plot. NOTRE DAME, severe, gloomy and beautiful at the same time, like a mirror, reflects all the features of the heroes of the novel.

However, romantic excesses, which today seem a little sham, are only a necessary background in order to show the life of Paris at that time, to raise the theme of "outcasts", the theme of kindness, love and mercy.

This is the main theme in the novel, because only these qualities, according to the author, can save the world.

The writer believed that “every person is born kind, pure, fair and honest… If his heart became cold, it was only because people put out his flame; if his wings are broken and his mind is struck, it is only because people have constrained him in a narrow cage. If he is mutilated and terrible, it is because he was thrown into such a form from which he came out criminal and terrible.. Only love, the transforming power of which is miraculous, is capable of making it “kind, pure, just and honest” again.

This is what the novel "Notre Dame Cathedral" tells about. This is what the heroes of the musical have been singing about for the second decade. NOTRE DAME DE PARIS…

Liked the article? to always be up to date. Altarpiece of the North Dame with kneeling statues of Louis XIII and Louis XIV

Temples have been located in this place since time immemorial, even in the era of the Romans there was a temple dedicated to Jupiter. Later, the Merovingians, who ruled Gaul in 500-571, built the Cathedral of St. Etienne here.

Notre Dame Cathedral was founded in 1163 by Maurice de Sully, Bishop of Paris, and the cornerstone was laid by the Pope Alexander III. Its construction lasted until 1345, that is, it took almost two centuries. During this time, the project was led by dozens of architects, which did not prevent them from erecting a beautiful and organic ensemble. According to historical data, several more churches, both Christian and pagan, previously existed on the same site.

The construction of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris took place with the participation of many architects, but Pierre de Montreuil and Jean de Chelle are considered its main creators who made the greatest contribution. The building was laid during the reign of Louis VII. It was then that the Gothic style in architecture became popular, which was used by architects. This direction has been successfully mixed with Romanesque style from the traditions of Normandy, which gave the cathedral a unique look.

Painting "The Coronation of Napoleon I" (December 2, 1804), painted by Jacques-Louis David in 1807

The history of France and Notre Dame cannot be separated, because it was here that the knights offered their prayers, going to Crusades, the coronation of Napoleon, the celebration of the victory over the Nazi troops and many other events took place.

North Dame is shrouded in an atmosphere of mysticism and dark romance

West facade of Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral suffered greatly from inept reconstructions during the events of the late 18th century, and later due to popular oblivion. So, French revolution almost deprived the world of it unique monument architecture, they even wanted to burn it. Many sculptures were broken or beheaded, stained-glass windows were destroyed, precious utensils were looted. The building was declared the Temple of Reason, then the center of the Cult of the Supreme Being, and later simply turned into a food warehouse. From total destruction architectural ensemble saved Victor Hugo's novel "Notre Dame Cathedral", which took a central place in the love story of a hunchback for a beautiful gypsy. The publication of the work not only made the writer famous, but also drew the attention of the general public to the exceptional historical and aesthetic value of the ancient building.

It is here that "Kilometer Zero" is located - the reference point for all distances in France

It was decided to reconstruct Notre Dame according to all the rules vintage technology. Viollet-le-Duca successfully coped with such a difficult task, since the architect had knowledge of the construction methods of the ancient masters who worked on the construction of the temple. The restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral lasted more than a quarter of a century. During this time, the facades were restored and interior decoration, reconstructed the gallery of sculptures ruined by the revolutionaries and part of the gargoyles, returned to their rightful place all surviving infernal "guards".

Additionally, a spire more than 95 meters high was built and installed on the roof. In subsequent years, the Parisians were extremely sensitive to their shrine. It is noteworthy that the temple was practically not damaged during the period of two World Wars. At the end of the 20th century, another restoration was initiated, which made it possible to completely clear the building of city dust, return the sandstone from which the facade is composed, to its original golden hue.

View of Notre Dame Cathedral through the arch

Video: Consequences of a fire in the cathedral

Facade and gargoyles

The most popular attribute of the exterior decoration of the Notre Dame Cathedral are stone demonic creatures. Gargoyles are present here in large numbers and are intended not only for decoration, but also for diverting water from the numerous drains on the roof. The fact is that the unusually complex structure of the roof contributes to the accumulation of moisture due to precipitation, since it cannot drain as freely as from ordinary houses. This can lead to the development of mold, dampness and destruction of stone, so quality gutters are a must for any Gothic cathedral.

Traditionally, unattractive chimney outlets were masked with figures of gargoyles, chimeras, dragons, less often people or real animals. Many see in these demonic images hidden meanings, so there is a lot of room for imagination here. It is noteworthy that at the time of construction there were no stone demons on the cathedral, they were installed at the suggestion of the restorer Viollet-le-Duc, who used this medieval tradition.

Gargoyles of Notre Dame

The main facade is decorated with stone statues and has three portals. The main one is in the middle, its arches support seven sculptures on each side, and the main decor is the relief scenes of the Last Judgment. The right portal is dedicated to St. Anne, where are depicted Holy Virgin with the Child, and the left - the Mother of God, with the signs of the zodiac and the image of the coronation of the Virgin Mary. Huge doors are decorated with forged relief images.

The already mentioned spire on the roof replaced the one that was dismantled at the end of the 18th century. The design is decorated with four groups of apostles, as well as animals corresponding to the evangelists. All statues are facing French capital, with the exception of the patron saint of architects, St. Thomas, who seems to be admiring the spire.

Almost all stained-glass windows are quite modern, made during the restoration of the temple in the 19th century. Only in the central wind rose some medieval parts have been preserved. The pattern of this large-scale construction (diameter 9.5 meters) of colored glass depicts Mary, as well as rural work, signs of the Zodiac, human virtues and sins. The northern and southern facades are equipped with the largest roses that exist in Europe. Each of them is about 13 meters in diameter.

The facade of Notre Dame, including 3 portals: the Virgin, the Last Judgment and St. Anne, as well as the Gallery of Kings from above

The interior of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

North Rose of Notre Dame Cathedral

The design in longitudinal section is a cross, in the center of which there is a complex of sculptural images of various gospel scenes. It is interesting that there are no internal supporting walls here, their function is performed by multifaceted columns. A large number of artistic carvings are flooded with unearthly light, which is colored in different colors passing through the glass of several roses. On the right side of Notre Dame, tourists can admire the wonderful sculptures, paintings and other works of art that are traditionally presented as a gift to Our Lady every year on the first of May. The majestic central chandelier, designed by Viollet-le-Duc, was reconstructed to replace a chandelier melted down during the French Revolution.

Interior of Notre Dame

Stained glass window of Notre Dame. Due to the abundance of biblical scenes in the Middle Ages, the cathedral was called the "Bible for non-readers"

Between the portal and the higher tier is the Gallery of the Kings, where sculptures of the Old Testament rulers are exhibited. The revolutionaries ruthlessly destroyed the original statues, so they were made anew. At the end of the 20th century, fragments of individual sculptures were found under one of the Parisian houses. It turned out that the owner bought them in Time of Troubles to be buried with honors, and later built his dwelling on this place.

It is impossible not to mention the majestic organ installed in the Notre Dame Cathedral. It was equipped during the construction of the temple, many times rebuilt and reconstructed. To date, this organ is the largest in France in terms of the number of registers and the second in terms of the number of pipes, some of which have been preserved since the Middle Ages.

Organ in Notre Dame Cathedral

south belfry

South Tower of Notre Dame Cathedral

If you want to enjoy Parisian panoramas that are not inferior in beauty to the view from the Eiffel Tower, you should definitely climb the South Tower of Notre Dame Cathedral. A spiral staircase of 387 steps leads here, climbing which you will see the main bell of the cathedral, Emmanuel, and you can also see the gargoyles in close proximity. It is believed that they look so attentively to the west because they are waiting for the sunset, after which they come to life every night.

Museum and Treasury

There is a museum in the cathedral, where every visitor can learn about the history of the temple in detail, listen to many famous and little-known stories related to this place. Various exhibits are stored here that directly relate to the centuries-old life of Notre Dame.

In the Treasury of the Norte-Dame de Paris

From the shrine you can go to the underground Treasury, placed under the square in front of the cathedral. It contains historical and religious relics: utensils, precious objects of art, and so on. But the most important exhibits are the Crown of Thorns of Christ, one of the nails with which Jesus was crucified, and a fragment of that same cross.

Gargoyle of Notre Dame

Procedure and cost of visiting

To get inside the Notre Dame Cathedral, you will have to stand in a long line. According to statistics, every day the threshold of Notre Dame, depending on the season, crosses from 30 to 50 thousand people. Entrance to the cathedral itself is free, but each adult will have to pay 15 euros to climb the bell tower. Those under the age of 26 can enter for free. The cost of visiting the Treasury is 4 euros for adults, 2 € - for young people 12-26 years old, 1 € - for visitors 6-12 years old. Children under 6 years of age can enter free of charge. In addition, on all Fridays of Great Lent, as well as on the first days of each month, treasures are taken out for public viewing free of charge. Such exhibitions usually begin around three o'clock in the afternoon.

Each visitor has the opportunity to use an audio guide in English, German, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese or Japanese. The cost of this service is 5 euros.

How to get there

The full address of the shrine is 6 place du Parvis Notre-Dame, Ile de la Cit, 75004 Paris. A five-minute walk from the metro stations "Chalet", "Cite Island" and "Hotel de Ville". In addition, you can use bus routes No. 21, 38, 47 or 85. On weekdays, Notre Dame Cathedral is open from 8.00 to 18.45, on Saturdays and Sundays from 7.00 to 15.00. Every Saturday there are services at 5.45 and also at 18.15.

Illuminated Notre Dame Cathedral

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