Expert-Led Private Tour of the Notre Dame and Paris' Gothic Architecture

Experience the exquisite stained glass, grotesque gargoyles and soaring flying buttresses of Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie with an expert in medieval architecture and history. On our private tour, we’ll explore these iconic structures of Paris’ Île de la Cité and delve into the evolution of French Gothic art and architecture.
Through examining the elaborate visual language of the Gothic style in the medieval heart of Paris, from rose windows and delicate tracery to weight bearing groin vaults and pointed arches, we’ll gain an understanding of the bold ambition of the church and state which led to the design and construction of these impressive spaces. We’ll discuss the engineering used to erect these places of worship and the city’s sole remaining royal medieval residence, and learn how closely form and function are intertwined.
Exploring the symbols and stories used in the extensive sculptural decorations, we’ll see how these reflect the beliefs, attitudes, and lifestyle of the French authorities who commissioned them. Since our group is small, there will be plenty of time for dialogue and questions to round out our immersion in the French Gothic era.