Top of Notre Dame

The top of Notre Dame is definitely a site worth seeing. The Gothic cathedral is located on the eastern half of the Ile de la Cite, in Paris, France, with its main entrance to the west. When traveling to Paris, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral seems like the practical “must-see”; however, it is very easy to miss its best attribute. Easily missed, off the northern wing of the apse is an entrance to tower of stairs to mount to the top platform of the church in between its two unfinished spires. The climb is around small circular stair cases similar to the St. Peter’s Dome and Brunelleschi’s Cathedral in Florence. Also this tour also allows you to climb to the top of east spire, as well as access to the Notre Dame Bell, famous from Vector Hugo’s fictional novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
To me this is the best aerial view of Paris, contrary to the usual perception of it being the Eiffel Tower. This occurs for two reasons: one, you get an aerial shot of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in the panoramic frame; and two, because you get a great view of Paris where the Rhine and the Rhone rivers split the heart of Paris into the island where Notre Dame is located.
Cost for the Climbing the Notre Dame is 4.80 Euro for students;

Address: Place du Parvis de Notre Dame, 75004 Paris; metro stop: Cité

Bus stops: 21, 24, 27, 38, 47, 85, 96

Mark Gettys