The View from the Tower

This year is the 850th anniversary of Notre Dame. Yes, the Notre Dame, and many improvements have been made to the North Tower.

Climb the South Tower of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and what will you see?

Inside, you'll observe the 13-ton bell named Emmanuel, which was tolled 69 years ago to announce the liberation of Paris at the end of the Second World War. Outside, you'll see the flying buttresses that were built at Notre Dame very early in the development of Gothic architecture. And if you use your imagination, you might spot Quasimodo -- the famous bell-ringer from Victor Hugo's book The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Quasimodo? Never met the guy. But his face rings a bell.

Have you seen Quasimodo recently?

I have a hunch he's back.

Bad jokes. But Quasimodo's cathedral is no joke this year. Look around the place, and you'll see a ton of tourists. Notre Dame is celebrating its 850th anniversary, and the number of visitors will soar from the normal 14 million to 20 million. Lighting has been improved, a new viewing platform has been erected, the organ has been renovated, and the four, old bells of the North Tower ...