Remembering Notre Dame Cathedral

If you’ve been to Paris, you have photos of Notre Dame Cathedral. Probably a lot of them, because it’s so hard to capture its grandeur and godliness.

Or it was…

Famous for its flying buttresses, which lent support to the heavy stone walls, historians debate whether Notre Dame Cathedral was the first to use them. — Famous for its 50-foot flying buttresses, which lent support to the tall stone walls, the buttresses allowed for large windows and more light within. Historians debate whether Notre Dame Cathedral was the first to use them.

With the terrible news of the fire in Notre Dame Cathedral, I bet I’m not the only one who searched for snapshots and memories of my visits. Today I share a few of mine with you.

The first time I went to Paris, I decided not to bring a camera–this was in pre-smartphone days. Instead, I’d just concentrate on soaking in the city and get by with postcards. This actually worked pretty well…until I entered Notre Dame. There’s a reason that over 13 million people a year wanted to visit it. A certain je ne sais quoi, as the French say. It feels, well, holy. Ancient, wise. Comforting, forgiving.

The wooden roof is what burned on 15 April 2019, taking the spire with it. When it was built, Notre Dame Cathedral required 52 acres of forest to complete the roof.

When I returned to Paris, you can be sure that I carried a camera (still no smartphones then) and made a beeline to the cathedral. Alas, I’m no Ansel Adams, but now the interior photos seem more precious than ever.

Construction began in 1153 and took nearly 200 years. With a lifespan of about 30 years, people who worked on the cathedral knew they would never see it completed. They did it for future generations. — Construction began in 1153 and took nearly 200 years. With a lifespan of less than 30 years, people who worked on the cathedral knew they would never see it completed. They did it for future generations.

Those gargoyles and chimera? They weren't added until a restoration 1843-1864...and were considered radical. Thanks to Victor Hugo, who wrote "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in 1831 to help save the cathedral, the public supported its preservation. — Those “old” gargoyles and chimera? These weren’t added until a restoration 1843-1864…and were considered radical. Thanks to Victor Hugo, who wrote “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in 1831 to help save the cathedral, the public supported its preservation.

The exterior of Notre Dame Cathedral is as fascinating as the interior. Thankfully, it seems to have survived the fire.

The more you look, the more you see...here is The Last Judgment. — The more you look, the more you see…here is The Last Judgment.

The Rose Window still holds stained glass from Medieval artists. Thankfully, it was spared.

Imagine being a peasant 800 years ago, entering Notre Dame Cathedral. The beauty in every detail must have been beyond anything ever seen before. Plus, the stained glass windows told biblical stories for the illiterate…which was pretty much everyone.

What will happen now to Notre Dame Cathedral? Already, donors are lining up to provide funding for reconstruction. Having been close to demolition in the 1700s, vandalized during the French Revolution, then rescued by Hugo and Napoleon, it will rise again. And when it is, take plenty of photos.

More Paris and thoughts on travel:

Eiffel Tower: Photos and Facts

Cooking Class + Travel = Happiness

Window Shopping in Europe

Americans Abroad: Don’t Be THAT Tourist!