Notre Dame is one of the defining works of early French Gothic. It's also an excellent example of a nineteenth-century restoration, which in some ways tried to make it even more medieval than it was already. But it's easy to miss the most interesting points - particularly the carvings of the west facade, which not only tell Bible stories, but also show the medieval peasant at work.

The Sainte-Chapelle, a hundred years later than Notre-Dame, is one of the most beautiful and perfectly preserved examples of the rayonnant Gothic style. Louis IX of France ordered its building, and as you would expect from a royal commission, it is splendid - daring in its height and lightness, and decorated with an expanse of fine stained glass. most of which is still original.

Download:

Podtour™ for Notre Dame only: Notre-Dame.mp3

Podtour™ for Sainte-Chapelle only: Sainte-Chapelle.mp3

Podtour™ for the whole Ile de la Cité: Notre-Dame-ile.mp3

The tour for Notre Dame starts at the north-west tower. The tour for the Sainte Chapelle starts at Cité metro station, as does the combined tour.