The cathedral was built on a small island called the Île de la Cité, in the middle of the Seine. Construction began in 1163, during the reign of King Louis VII, and was completed in 1345. It is considered a jewel of medieval Gothic architecture.
Houston, and most all of Texas, where I live was wilderness populated only by native Indian tribes. Europe was so far ahead of the rest of the world to be able to construct such an architectural masterpiece.
Henry VI of England was made king of France inside Notre-Dame in 1431.
Napoleon Bonaparte, who also sought to save the storied cathedral, was crowned emperor there in 1804.
In 1909, Joan of Arc, who had helped France battle the English and was burned at the stake centuries earlier, was beatified in the cathedral by Pope Pius X.
The cathedral was also home to the crown of thorns and the tunic of Saint Louis, both of which apparently made it safely out of the fire and to Paris City Hall. The crown of thorns is believed to be the same that Jesus Christ wore during the crucifixion. It was first housed at the Ste. Chapelle in Ile de la Cité, but then moved to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame, which translates to Our Lady in English, survived through the Bubonic Plaque, the French Revolution, several foreign invasions and wars, WWII bombing, etc. The building is a symbol of France and one of the world's most popular tourist attractions. It is so important to France that it will surely be rebuilt. No matter how good the replication, it can never be the equal of the real thing.
So sad to lose such an archtitectural treasure.