Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens Dec 8, 2024

Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens

In the heart of Paris stands one of the city"s most enduring icons: Notre-Dame Cathedral. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries on the Île de la Cité—an island in the Seine—Notre-Dame has witnessed centuries of French history, from the Hundred Years" War to the French Revolution, and beyond. Although it was chosen by Napoleon as the site of his coronation as emperor in 1804, by the early 19th century, the cathedral was in a state of disrepair. However, one novel changed its fortunes: "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Victor Hugo, published in 1831. The popularity of this book helped encourage a restoration project that renewed the cathedral"s former beauty.

© Julien Fromentin/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Dec 8, 2018How lovely are your branches
Dec 8, 2019Mod gear
Dec 8, 2020A fortress in the sky
Dec 8, 2021Petrified Forest National Park
Dec 8, 2022The Cathedral of Florence, Italy
Dec 8, 2023La Rocque Harbour, Island of Jersey
Dec 8, 2025Christmas lights in Domaso, Lake Como, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 19, 2021Rays on parade
Aug 17, 2025International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend
Aug 12, 2019Don t forget—it’s World Elephant Day
Apr 16, 2021 A theatrical dream
Jan 26, 2019Visiting a Maratha fortress
Jan 4, 2021Sparkling ice diamonds on a black sandy beach
Dec 8, 2025Christmas lights in Domaso, Lake Como, Italy
Oct 22, 2020Moving as one
Aug 11, 2018Lace up your hiking boots for Mountain Day
Mar 6, 2025Desert bighorn sheep in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
May 13, 2020Of moose and Maine
Apr 22, 2025Earth Day
Aug 17, 2021Wanderin Wawayanda
Apr 4, 2020In the path of the pronghorn
May 3, 2020World Laughter Day—it s a hoot
Mar 15, 2021Every day is Napping Day for this screech owl
Jan 31, 2023Burchells zebras for International Zebra Day
Apr 14, 2023Mediterranean red sea stars
Dec 10, 2023Sand dunes in the Sahara, Algeria
Jun 8, 2022World Oceans Day
May 11, 2024World Migratory Bird Day
Jan 23, 2019Celebrating Pie Day is as easy as, well…
Aug 18, 2025Avalanche Lake Trail at Adirondack High Peaks, New York
Mar 28, 2023The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy
Oct 15, 2022International Archaeology Day
Jul 8, 2025Seceda, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
Oct 8, 2023World Octopus Day
Mar 21, 2022World Poetry Day
Jan 21, 2021The tale of squirrels like Nutkin
Sep 28, 2023World Maritime Day