I agree with the earlier entry by Yuntenwi Isidore (Cameroon). There are way too many tourists and non-religious visitors to this cathedral and they distract significantly from the overall feeling. They're noisy, rude and badly behaved (shouting and standing on the seats when I was there). Architecturally, this is probably the most impresseive Gothic cathedral I've seen (although I haven't been yet to Amiens or Milan), but as far as ambiance goes? Forget it! But maybe if you wear earplugs and keep your eyes looking up, up, up the way the Gothic architecture wants you to....

Also, when we were there (2004), the road immediately next to the cathedral was under construction. I mean, right next to the cathedral! It looked like Tyranosaurus rex was eating the old concrete overpass. And they were swinging a heavy metal ball against the bridge supports to knock them over. I can only assume they protected the cathedral in some way from the vibrations of the heavy equipment.