Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame Cathedral is a major landmark on the Île de la Cité and one of Paris's most iconic tourist attractions.
Construction began in 1163 and was completed in 1345—a project spanning many years—and the cathedral holds great historical significance, having hosted Napoleon's coronation in 1804.
Situated at the tip of the Île de la Cité, the cathedral can be viewed from various angles. The most common perspective is from the front; the two distinctive towers are so massive that, if you stand too close, they are overwhelming and won't even fit entirely into your camera frame. There is also an observation deck offering panoramic views of the Paris cityscape.
Another popular view is from the rear of the cathedral. While this scene often appears in paintings, the real-life view is truly spectacular. The easiest spot to see the back of the cathedral is from the Pont de l'Archevêché bridge. Although the view from there is excellent, an even better option is to view it from a sightseeing boat; this allows you to circle the cathedral and appreciate it from a variety of angles.
You can also enter the cathedral, though the lines to get in are often very long due to its status as a world-famous tourist destination. Once inside, you will be struck by the sheer scale of the building and the throngs of tourists.
With so much to see, Notre-Dame Cathedral is a place best explored at a leisurely pace.