Notre Dame was built in Paris during a time of great demographic expansion and economic dynamism for the city. Paris was still affirming its status as the political capitol, an economic center, and a major intellectual and teaching center. In response to all these changes the bishop at the time Maurice de Sully started the project of rebuilding a cathedral church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The first stone set for Notre Dame was in 1163 in the presence of Pope Alexander III and was done in the gothic style. Various construction projects for the church continued from the 12th century up to the early 14th century. Modifications were made to the church in the 17th and 18th centuries including restoration of the South Rose Window. In the 19th century Notre Dame was given back to the Roman Catholic Church on 18 April, 1802 and in 1831 Victor Hugo published the Hunchback of Notre Dame which was a huge success. And in 1844, the government of King Louis-Philippe decreed the restoration of the cathedral and construction of a sacristy. The project was given to two architects Jean-Baptiste Lassus and Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. The cathedral today is a part of Paris culture, it is more than just a museum and still serves as it did in the beginning as a house of god.
"Building History." N.p., n.d. Web. 05 June 2013. <http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/spip.php?article380>.
"Building History." N.p., n.d. Web. 05 June 2013. <http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/spip.php?article380>.