Notre-Dame de Paris

I sit on a little island in a big river. Two tall stone towers reach up to the clouds, like they are trying to say hello to the sun. My windows are big and round and full of colorful glass. When the sun shines through them, they sparkle like giant jewels. I have watched the city of Paris wake up and go to sleep for many, many years. I am a stone heart in the middle of the city. I am a very special church, and my name is Notre-Dame de Paris.

A long, long time ago, a kind man named Bishop Maurice de Sully had a wonderful idea. In the year 1163, he dreamed of building me. It took a very, very long time. Many helpers came to stack stone on top of stone, like building with giant blocks. They built tall, pointy arches that look like hands praying. They even added funny stone creatures called gargoyles to watch over the city. High up in my towers, they put big, happy bells. When they ring, it sounds like they are singing a beautiful song for everyone in Paris to hear. It took almost 200 years to make me strong and beautiful.

For hundreds of years, I have opened my big doors to everyone. Families and friends come inside to feel quiet and peaceful. They listen to soft music and look up at the beautiful colors shining from my windows. It has always made my stone heart feel warm. But I had a very sad day. On April 15th, 2019, a fire hurt me very much. I felt so sad. But soon, I felt so much love. People from all over the world sent their good wishes and promised to help me.

Now, wonderful people are working hard every day. They are fixing my roof and making my walls strong again. They are making me beautiful, just like I was before. I am a reminder that even when things get broken, love and working together can make them whole again. Soon, my bells will sing their happy song for everyone in Paris once more.