MY FOURTH POST FOR ANITA'S 'SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE FRENCH BLOG PARTY'. TODAY...THE IMPOSING EDIFICE OF THE NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL IN PARIS.

ONE OF MY FIRST INTRODUCTIONS AND RECOLLECTIONS OF THE NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL WAS WHEN I READ 'THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE-DAME' BY VICTOR HUGO.
Not only did Victor Hugo use Notre-Dame as the central theme of his story, he also gave exact details of Paris at that time, taking up to seventeen pages of fine print to describe Paris and the cathedral in minute detail.  It was a lot for me to wade through so I won't grace you with the details but will show you photos instead.

NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL IS 'SMACK DAB' IN THE CENTER OF PARIS.

To me it is one of the most amazing cathedrals constructed.  The various styles of Gothic, and Medieval history are reflected in its various architectural designs. 

THE 'PARIS POINT ZERO' MARKER IS LOCATED IN THE CATHEDRAL SQUARE JUST IN FRONT OF THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO NOTRE-DAME.  TO SOME PEOPLE IT IS KIND OF A MAGICAL POINT (AND NOT JUST A MILE MARKER FROM THE CENTER OF PARIS OUTWARD) BUT PEOPLE COME AND STAND TOGETHER AND SPIN AROUND ON IT FOR GOOD LUCK OR  COUPLES COME AND HAVE THEIR PHOTOS TAKEN STANDING ON THE MARKER WHILE THEY KISS.  ONE FANTASY AUTHOR FROM IRELAND, MICHAEL SCOTT, USED THE 'PARIS POINT ZERO MARKER' AS A PORTAL TO OTHER LEY LINES AROUND THE WORLD FOR WIZARDS TO TRAVEL RAPIDLY TO ANOTHER LOCATION.  IN HIS BOOK 'THE ALCHEMYST' THE FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES ABOUT THE FAMED IMMORTAL ALCHEMIST NICHOLAS FLAMEL, THE ONLY SUPPOSED ALCHEMIST WHO CREATED THE SORCERER'S STONE, WHICH WHEN AN ELIXIR IS MADE FROM THE STONE MAKES ONE IMMORTAL WHEN YOU PERIODICALLY DRINK IT.  NICHOLAS USES THE PORTAL TO ESCAPE OTHER IMMORTALS WHO WANT TO STEAL THE SORCERER'S STONE FROM HIM AND ALSO A VERY ANCIENT BOOK WHICH IS IN NICHOLAS' KEEPING.  (MICHAEL SCOTT'S  BOOKS ARE EQUALLY GOOD AS THE 'HARRY POTTER'  SERIES.)

JUST THE LAYERS AND DEPTH OF THE ARCHWAYS IS SO CAPTIVATING TO VIEW.  ONE COULD SPEND HOURS WALKING AROUND THE CATHEDRAL TAKING IT ALL IN.  IT MAY VERY WELL BE ONE OF THE MODERN WONDERS OF THE WORLD.   IN THE FRONT AND CENTER LIES THE ROSE STAINED GLASS CIRCULAR WINDOW WHICH I HAVE A CLOSE-UP OF BELOW.

THE BREATH-TAKING AND MAGNIFICENT ROSE STAINED-GLASS WINDOW ALL INDIVIDUAL PANES DEPICTING RELIGIOUS FIGURES.  

GARGOYLES OVER LOOK PARIS TO PROTECT FROM EVIL SPIRITS. (THEY KIND OF LOOK SCARY ENOUGH TO ME TO BE EVIL SPIRITS THEMSELVES!)

THIS GARGOYLE SEEMS TO HAVE THE BODY OF A MAN AND THE HEAD OF A GOAT.

THE INTERIOR OF THE CATHEDRAL IN ALL ITS GLORY, WITH MARBLE PILLARS, AND GLIDED SANCTUARY.

ANOTHER GARGOYLE THAT SEEMS TO BE QUITE BORED WITH HIS JOB.

MORE INTRICATE DETAILS ON THE BATTLEMENTS OF THE CATHEDRAL.

AND WE MUSTN'T FORGET THE CATACOMBS BENEATH THE CATHEDRAL WHERE PRIESTS AND OTHERS ARE BURIED IN MACABRE FASHION. 

MORE SACRED BONES IN OF THE DEAD,  IN THE CATACOMBS, STACKED IN GRUESOME ORDER.

A CLOSER VIEW OF THE AMAZING SANCTUARY WITH STATUES OF SAINTS AND CHRIST, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR PORTRAYED ON THE CROSS IN THE MIDDLE.  DEFINITELY A MODERN WONDER OF THE MODERN DAY WORLD.

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE CATACOMBS BENEATH NOTRE-DAME.

AND THE SPIRE ON NOTRE-DAME WHICH SHOWS MORE SAINTS IN BRONZE LINING THE STEEP ROOF ON EITHER SIDE. AND ALSO, A QUITE REMARKABLE VIEW OF THE CITY OF PARIS AND BEYOND.

I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS JOURNEY TO NOTRE-DAME, IN PARIS, FRANCE.
STAY TUNED AGAIN, AS I WILL BE POSTING MORE OF OUR VIRTUAL TOUR OF FRANCE ON TUESDAY, MAY 21ST.

posted by Teresa