Cathedral of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Cathedral of, cathedral church of Paris, on the Île de la Cité in the Seine River. Begun in 1163, it was consecrated in 1183. The nave was completed in 1196. In 1230 flying buttresses were added and the nave was rebuilt. Chapels were later added, and the cathedral was not complete until 1313. It is one of the finest examples of early Gothic architecture, especially for the rose window of the west facade and the sculptured portals. Some restoration was necessary after the French Revolution.