Notre Dame is a cathedral in the centre of Paris, France. Construction began in 1163 as it so enormous it was not completed until 1345. That is 182 years. It is 128m long (420ft) with two 69m tall towers (266ft). A spire which reaches 90m (295ft) was added in the 1800s. Inside there are statues, paintings and wooden cravings which are centuries old. Most of its floor is paved with memorial stones of long-dead Parisians as it was common long ago to bury the dead inside the cathedral. Ever since it was built it has been the traditional venue for the marriages, coronations and funerals of French royalty.