Imagine you're sailing on the Seine River in Paris, France. As you look around, you see a very special building that grabs your attention. That's Notre-Dame Cathedral!

Notre Dame means 'our lady' in French, and it's dedicated to Saint Mary. This cathedral in Paris has seen many important events in history. For example, it was where Jeanne d'Arc had her trial and where Napoleon was crowned as an emperor. During World War II, people gathered there to thank God when Paris was finally free. Notre-Dame Cathedral stands on an island called Île de la Cité, which means 'city island' in French. Long ago, even before the cathedral, there was a temple for the god Zeus and the first church of Paris on this very spot. Throughout history, people built different types of cathedrals on this sacred site.

Back in 1163, a bishop named Maurice de Sully wanted to build a magnificent cathedral in Paris. He said, "Let's tear down the old church and build a grand cathedral that Paris deserves!" It took 200 whole years to complete every part of Notre-Dame Cathedral. This cathedral is a great example of medieval Gothic architecture. The tall, pointed towers represent people's strong faith in God. Inside and outside, you'll find thousands of beautiful statues. However, during the French Revolution, some statues were taken away. But don't worry, in the 19th century, a famous writer named Victor Hugo wrote a book called 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' which made people realize how important the cathedral was. So, the government decided to restore it and make it beautiful again!