Notre-Dame de Paris

The west door of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France is a fine example of Early Gothic architecture (begun 1160). The period saw the introduction of Islamic influence in Christian church architecture, such as the ogival (pointed) arch.

Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, a masterpiece of early Gothic architecture, is a prominent feature on the Île de la Cité, a small island in the Seine. The cathedral has ogival (pointed) vaults, an innovation of the early Gothic period.

Cathedral in Paris, France, situated at the southeast end of the Ile-de-la-Cité. The first stone of the cathedral was laid by Pope Alexander III and Louis VII in 1163, on the site of an ancient Merovingian cathedral. The general structure was completed by 1245. After suffering much damage in the 18th century, Notre-Dame was restored by Viollet-le-Duc in 1845-64.

Notre-Dame de Paris is a magnificent example of the first two periods of Gothic, particularly the west front and the transepts (all with great rose windows), the chevet (French term for an apse with an ambulatory and radiating chapels), the towers and the portals.