The first stone of Notre-Dame de Paris was laid in year 1163 at the time of pope Alexander III, in accordance with the project of the bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully. He wanted Paris to benefit from a cathedral capable of accommodating all its faithful. The idea was to use the last architectural research to let more light enter the building, as was the case in Saint-Denis and other cities in northern France (Laon, Sens). The construction work lasted about 180 years. It began with the chevet and ended with the erection of the facade.
Very skillful and bold apprentices, such as stonemasons, carpenters and masons, helped build this church that defied the know-how of the time.