Thursday throng

 

 

Like an eternal rockstar whose beauty never fades the crowds can't get enough.

 

Notre-Dame Cathedral

 

Tête-à-tête Tuesday

 A heart-to-heart as the towers of Notre Dame eavesdrop just beyond.

 

Snowful Saturday

 

 

Snow in Paris is a rare and fleeting treat. As soon as we heard more was due Wednesday morning (it had snowed the night before), we were up and out early. 

 

Photos: along the quais of the Seine

 

 

 

Waiting Wednesday

 

Almost time for Mass to start inside Nôtre-Dame de Paris.

 

Sit-down Saturday

 Enjoying coffee off a curb near Notre Dame Cathedral.

 

Treeful Tuesday

 

Evening, and the lit-up spire of Notre-Dame Cathedral is like a beacon across the Seine.

 

Sisters Sunday

 

 

A group of nuns outside the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris.

 

Window Wednesday

 

 

A stained glass marvel inside Notre-Dame Cathedral.

 

Weekend wonder

Notre-Dame Cathedral has resumed its place as the jewel of Western civilization.

***

The Relics of Notre-Dame, purchased by Saint Louis in 1238 from the Latin Emperor of the East, arrived in Paris in 1239. Saved from the 2019 fire they include the crown of thorns, a piece of the cross, and a nail.

 

***

 

Note: To reduce waiting time at the entrance, entirely optional online reservations (free access) can be booked just a few hours before visiting the cathedral.

 

Window Wednesday

 

 

Light from a Rose Window reflected on walls inside magnificently newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral.

 

 

 

(click photos to enlarge)

 

 

Bonne Année

 

 

It's a New Year as the bells of newly re-opened Notre-Dame Cathedral peal out from across the river.

Joy, prosperity, health, peace

- Bonne Année / Happy New Year 2025 -

 

🎉

Sit-down Saturday

 

 

Chairs nicely arranged in the middle of a street with the towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral in the distance.

 

Celebration Saturday

 

Paris and all the world rejoices today as the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris celebrates its re-opening, with many heads of state and dignitaries in attendance. But not the Pope.

Above: photograph of the cathedral taken from Square René-Viviani before the fire of April 15, 2019

***

On the face of this ancient queen of our cathedrals, beside each wrinkle one invariably finds a scar. - Victor Hugo - Notre Dame de Paris / The Hunchback of Notre Dame

 

 

 

Floral Friday

 

A flower stall near Notre-Dame Cathedral.

 

Museum Monday

 

A fascinating look at the history of Paris including its origins as Lutèce during the time of the Romans and reaching all the way back to prehistory, as told by the river Seine.

 

 

Archaeological Crypt of the île de la Cité

(Parvis Notre-Dame Cathedral/Place Jean-Paul II)

 

***

 

 Exhibition:

The Seine: Recovered Objects from Prehistory to the Current Day

 

 

Timeless bookshop

 

Celebrated English-language librarie with coffee shop and views of Notre-Dame Cathedral, at night. 

 

Shakespeare and Company 

37 rue de la Bûcherie 75005

***

 Who knows himself a braggart, let him fear this, for it will come to pass, that every braggart shall be found an ass. All's Well That Ends Well - William Shakespeare   

Winter Wednesday

Flashback to February: view through trees of Notre-Dame Cathedral being worked on.

The cathedral is not expected to be finished until sometime in 2025 but will begin welcoming visitors in 2024. 

 

Marché de Noël

 Today is the last day to visit this magical artisan Christmas market in the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Above: stalls selling everything from toasted marrons and macarons to arts and crafts

Below: hot soups by the bol; Santa spotting on a nearby corner

 

Square René-Viviani
79 rue Galande 75005

From a bridge

 

Notre-Dame Cathedral under repair.

Standing watch

 

A statue of Sainte Geneviève stands guard at what was once the edge of the city. To her right, windows of starred restaurant La Tour d'Argent overlook Notre-Dame Cathedral and Île de la Cité beyond.