Paris Day Five: Notre Dame

Since it was still freezing cold and pouring down rain, we chose the shorter walk to the bus office to catch a lift to Notre Dame. So nice to ride in a nice warm bus.

Unfortunately, there was once again a very long line in the rain, wind and cold. Thankfully, once again, the line moved fairly quickly.

Standing in line gives you a long time to understand why it took nearly 300 years to complete this Gothic cathedral! The first stone was laid on the island over the ruins of two other churches in 1163.

The details on the facades are staggering! In the research I did for my medieval history class, I learned that they actually built restaurants in the scaffolding of these cathedrals for workers to eat at. And I can see why!

a row of statues of Old Testament kings

 The 115-foot walls eventually grew too tall and the structure began to fail, so the flying buttresses were added in the rear.

*this is  not our picture

You don't appreciate the size of it until you walk inside...

The outer walls are lined with small alcove chapels that are each beautiful in their own way.

I especially enjoyed the Chinese-themed chapel

this one housed what they believe is Jesus' 

crown of thorns

In the center of the cathedral (or the nave) are other altars with pews where masses are held three times a day. 

Also in the nave are these long carvings of scenes from the life of Jesus. They are exquisite! 

When you see all of this remarkable beauty, it's hard to fathom that in the 1500s this cathedral was vandalized. During the French Revolution it was used as a food storage warehouse and heads were removed from statues. The only remaining 13th century stained glass is in the three large rose windows that range from 33-43 feet in diameter. 

 I am grateful that there is still a lot of gorgeous glass there...