Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

This eastern facade of Notre Dame

is not the image of the postcards and souvenir shops,

but its graceful Gothic architecture is beautiful.

The garden is much quieter than the western side

and a lovely place to sit in the shade of the trees and

watch the children play.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Île de la Cité

75004, Paris

 

Les photographes à Notre Dame

Photographers at Notre Dame

This shady corner in front of Notre Dame

is often the scene of interviews

and film crews...

I have no idea what this is about, 

but I am guessing that Mr. Orange Scarf

is the subject.

Notre Dame

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame

If you go to this well-known landmark very early in the morning 

when the doors are first opened 

(and it is not in the months of March through October), 

you can take your time photographing the amazing architecture 

and details absent the crowds.  

The Cathedral is open every day at 8am 

and on Saturdays and Sundays at 7:15am.

Since I did not take my own advice on this particular visit, 

you will notice that my photo (and all of the others I took) 

are aimed away from the tourists.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

 

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - Saint Denis

Notre Dame

A small section of the statues of Notre Dame features

poor Saint Denis, a martred Bishop of the 3rd century,

 who carried his head through Paris after being decapitated.

This is a section over the left portal of Notre Dame.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame

A series of concentric iron circles...

a scattering of candles.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame

The afternoon sun adds a golden tint to the south side of Notre Dame with all the griffins lined up on their perches.  The details of the architecture could keep you sketching for months.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - flèches d'église

Notre Dame

These spires of Notre Dame are intricately detailed in design.

If I had not been the one with the camera 

I am not sure that I would have easily identified the church.  

The drain spouts definitely help in knowing that it is Notre Dame 

although there are many similar in and around Paris.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Beautiful from any angle, but this view is my favorite.

When you consider that this icon of Paris has seen nine centuries of history, 

she looks like she will be around for many more.

If you come around to this side of Notre Dame, 

you can enjoy an unobstructed view (sans beaucoup de touristes) 

and enjoy a shaded bench as well.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

(seen from Square Jean XXIII)

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - des détails

Notre Dame

From this single spot, 

many of the treasures of this magnificent cathedral are revealed, 

from the rose window to the newly cleaned chandelier, 

and Gothic arches and columns.

Also, when you look up, 

you do not see any tourists.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame

The exterior of this 800-year-old cathedral 

is well-known for its many statues over the massive doors.  

The broader view reveals gargoyles and chimeras in various poses.  

Do you think that this one might look like 

J. R. R. Tolkien's Gollum?

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

 

 

Notre Dame et la Seine

Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris

 

 

The elegant architecture of this 800-year-old cathedral

displays beautiful flying buttresses.

 

 

Freshly cleaned inside and out...

let the birthday party begin

 

 

bon dimanche

 

 

 

Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris

75004, Paris 

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Last Sunday's post of Notre Dame was a night view

 of the east side of this great cathedral.  

I thought that you might like to see 

the same perspective under blue skies.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Perhaps more recognizable from the other side, 

the majestic details of this view are my favorite.  

In the summer months you might even find it deserted 

very early in the day or very late at night.

It is worth losing an hour's sleep to have this scene to yourself.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - un grand lustre

Notre Dame

This is only one of the grand chandeliers of Notre Dame 

seen up close and in detail as it was lowered last year for cleaning.  

The 850th birthday celebration of this renown cathedral 

called for some major housekeeping and renovations (the bells).  

I would say that this grand dame has held her age well.

bon dimanche

 

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame

This 850 year old icon on the Paris landscape has greeted worshipers and tourists for centuries.  For all of 2013 there will be special concerts and celebrations for this auspicious and grand cathedral.

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6, Place du Parvis Notre-Dame,

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Une couronne pour le Roi

A crown for the King

joyeuses Pâques

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

6 Parvis Notre Dame

Place Jean-Paul II

75004, Paris

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris

Red roses, some past the full bloom, add color to the stone face of Notre Dame

(taken from Square René-Viviani)

bon dimanche

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
6, Place du Parvis Notre-Dame
75004, Paris