The cathedral is more than seven hundred years old. It was built in three stages and completed in 1250, after around 170 years of construction. This was when the early gothic architecture was at its height and it was felt that Paris should contain an impressive cathedral featuring innovations to emphasise its importance in relation to smaller towns.

It is situated at the heart of the city - and of the country - and its famous entrance and highly decorative portals make it one of Paris's most iconic buildings.