PARIS
WHILE WE WERE THERE
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 99
Place de Stravinski |
Paris |
 |
Ile de la Cite |
Notre
Dame
Proceeded by a Gallo-Roman temple to Jupiter, a Christian
basilica, and a Romanesque church, construction of Notre-Dame de Paris
began in 1163 during the reign of Louis VII. Pope Alexander III laid the
foundation stone. The idea to replace the Romanesque church occupying the
site - the Cathedral of St. Etienne (founded by Childebert in 528) - was
that of Bishop Maurice de Sully (who died in 1196). Construction was completed
roughly 200 years later in about 1345. The choir was completed in 1182;
the nave in 1208, and the west front and towers circa 1225-1250. A series
of chapels were added to the nave during the period 1235-50, and during
1296-1330 to the apse (Pierre de Chelles and Jean Ravy). The transept crossings
were build in 1250-67 by Jean de Chelles and Pierre de Montreuil (also
the architect of the Sainte-Chapelle). It was essentially completed according
to the original plans. .