The Gargoyles of Notre Dame

Notre Dame de Paris is a cathedral built from 1163 to 1330. Restoration and lengthening of the spire to 90 m. was carried out between 1841 to 1864. The facade has four levels; the first with three portals, the second the King's Gallery, the third the rose window and the most interesting of all, the 'tracery gallery surmounted by a balustrade, a kingdom of chimeras, ghouls, demons and monsters in addition to the famous gargoyles, themselves dominated by two towers from which one can enjoy magnificent views of Paris'.

Victor Hugo must have been inspired by the gargoyles to write The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1831. But wait a minute, were there gargoyles then or were they only added during the restoration? Anyway as architectural details go, they are not really gargoyles (waterspouts) but chimeras, i.e. decoration. If the facade has attractive details, the inside also exhibit beautiful details, like the stained glass of the south rose window.

The Notre Dame is on an island (Ile de la Cite) in the River Seine, almost the centre point of Paris, and one of the earliest sites of settlement in the capital. So it was well worth it to climb the nearly 400 steps up to see the gargoyles, chimera, etc. up at the tracery gallery and more narrow stone steps up the south tower for 360 degree views of Paris.

Ref: Paris Versailles. Editions A. Leconte. 2013. Ex Lib CNB 2025