Notre Dame Cathedral construction began in 1163, construction continued for another 200 years. During the French Revolution, anti Christian extremists looted and badly damaged Notre Dame. Repair and restoration of the church did not begin until 1844. The facade and interior still are true to the original designs. We visited today and were lucky, the line up was very quick. Beautiful interior, stain glass windows, sculptures and iron fencing. The exterior is magnificent architecture. The gargoyle are spectacular, they were built into the ends of the gutters to drain rainwater off the roof and far away from the walls to prevent damage. The sculptors used their imagination, they are animal and human figures, half man, half beast, grotesque, horrific, fantastic creatures with eagles beaks and wings, lion talons, serpent tails. I am so glad I brought my telephoto lens, otherwise would not have had such a great glimpse at the Gargoyles.