This well-known example of French gothic architecture is getting a makeover for its 850th anniversary. Yes, 850 years old - It was consecrated in 1163!
New bells, the restoration of the organ and more environmentally-friendly lighting... She is making preparations to celebrate her birthday in great style and you can see the evidence of the freshness in this photo. If you will be in Paris between December 12, 2012 to December 9, 2013, be sure to visit (or re-visit) this icon of the Paris landscape. There will be a full schedule of events during the year's celebration.
If you want to have a more personal experience in a visit to Notre Dame, be there as it opens daily at 8:00am, and you will have it almost to yourself.
bon dimanche
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
6, Place du Parvis Notre-Dame,
Place Jean-Paul II
75004, Paris
There is nothing to equal it! And it's hard to comprehend 850 years!! Particularly these days! Awesome! And such a wonderful capture, Genie!! Thank you for the memories! Hope you've had a great weekend so far!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Sylvia
Very majestic Genie.
ReplyDeleteWondrous!
ReplyDeleteEarly bird tourists usually get the best pickings, so true!
Glorious photo, Genie. And thanks for all the information.
ReplyDeleteThe age of buildings in Europe still astounds me. The golden light here is lovely, dear Genie. And the magnitude of scale ~ quite awesome, really.
ReplyDeleteHope the new lighting continues to enhance the golden glow. Interesting that you see this church as female I usually feel these gothic churches,and this one in particular,to be decidedly male.
ReplyDeleteBon dimanche,
Ruby
That is such a beautiful church. I have never been in it but it is on my wishlist. Great photo of the lights.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant shot dear Genie!
ReplyDeletehugs and a nice week ahead,
Léia
Beautiful interior shot. Next time I go to Paris I will definitely get there for opening, even though that it soooo early!
ReplyDeletei'd be sure to remember that! ^0^
ReplyDeletethe last time we were there,
it was during the night and hordes of tourist inside out, to get a decent shot was almost impossible,
and to think that Notre Dame was one of my fave places to see.
i wish i could see Paris encore, une fois! ^-^
stunning interior photo.
Dear Genie, Thanks for visiting my blog & for your kind comment! How delightful to connect with you! It took me 40 years as well to get to Paris from the first spark of love! I am loving going through your photos, they're beautiful! Notre Dame: I magically was able to go inside this year without a line...My 1st & only other time inside: I burst into tears, it was so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL...
ReplyDeleteDuring the summer it's really hard ot have that "personal" experience! I recommend the winter when the crowds have all gone back home. :)
ReplyDeleteV
Lovely shot...it's hard to get these interior shots with the lighting...this one turned out really well!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo and thanks for the info...850 years is a very long time indeed.
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't look a day over 825 years, Genie!
ReplyDeleteSo peaceful looking.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your second blog anniversary. Notre Dame is my favourite to visit. It is always a must.
ReplyDeleteTo all, I had more of a tourist experience in March when my husband made his first trip to Paris with me. I was able to re-visit many locations and this was a delight. I have witnessed the exterior cleaning and renovations, but the interior is beginning to sparkle with the lightness that must have been present in those early years. We have become accustomed to seeing many of the churches and castles with very dark (blackish to gray) stones. Cleaning the stained glass and removing centuries of grime on the stones certainly brightens the interior.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week ahead, mes amis!
Bises,
Genie
Such a beautiful picture Genie. Thanks for the update too. I will be in Paris next year, so will be sure to visit. Notre Dame isn't my favourite Parisian church but I have visited on both my Paris holidays, and am already planning to go back next year. I haven't made it up to the roof yet, or down to the crypt. While it will be lovely to visit for the 850th birthday celebrations I'm sure this will only make the queues even longer....
ReplyDeleteBreathtakingly beautiful Genie, so hard to believe she has been around for so long, what on earth would it have been like to live in those times! Two good tips here, early morning and preferably in winter, I have been inside but at the same time as hundreds of others, it would be lovely to wander around in peace.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo and excellent advice! (I would add that it's definitely worth the climb up to the top.)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this breathtaking picture. I look forward to seeing this exquisite church in person some day. Lisa
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