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ARCHITECTURE

Paris is full of fine buildings, from grand cathedrals to dazzling palaces.

Notre-Dame Cathedral The great Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame on the Ile de la Cité was built from 1163 to 1345. It was damaged in the 1789 Revolution, but restored after a campaign led by Victor Hugo. A spire was also added. The cathedral’s many features include stone gargoyles and three rose windows. Hôtel des Invalides The Hôtel des Invalides, a home for wounded soldiers, was built on the orders of King Louis XIV. The soldiers’ houses and a hospital were completed in 1676, then two churches were added. One, in the middle of the Hôtel, is the Dôme Church, which contains the tomb of Napoleon I. Many people come to visit this.

⌂ The magnificent interior of Notre- Dame Cathedral, looking towards the high altar and the stained glass windows above.

The Palace of Versailles Louis XIV also ordered the building of the enormous Palace of Versailles, south-west of Paris. The palace was decorated with gold to make it a fitting home for the Sun King. Each room is richly furnished, but the most splendid and extravagant of all is the 245-foot (75-m) Hall of Mirrors.

The spectacular Hôtel des Invalides. The Dôme Church, with its golden roof, was the private church of King Louis XIV.

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