Cathédrale Notre Dame De Paris

On the heels of eating unappetizing sandwiches (giant gobs of camembert on sub rolls), my husband and I walked to the Notre Dame. Notre Dame was very pretty, although I agree with daydreamer and others, below, that there are grander cathedrals. However, we both thought this was a gorgeous, almost mystical location and, based on that alone, it really has no rival that I’m aware of…

me and minna (my little sister)

I didn’t want to pay to go to the top. It was everything I expected just seeing it from the ground level. I also visited the archeological crypte which is included in the Paris museum pass. I recommend doing that if you have a musuem pass, plus it doesn’t take long to go through.

My favourite tourist sight in Paris. I’ve been to bigger and grander cathedrals (e.g. in Italy), but there’s something special about Notre Dame – a mixture of its beautiful Gothic architecture and location on the Île de la Cité.

...would not be my first port of call if I were on holiday in Paris, to be honest. It’s very crowded and for me, there are more impressive churches (Sainte Chapelle) and better things to do. Although to be fair, I had the time to visit other cathedrals in France – if Notre Dame had been the only one I visited, maybe I’d be more impressed.

I definitely would not advise going to mass here, as they still let people in during the mass and it’s very disconcerting trying to remember the prayers when there are tourists talking loudly and taking pictures around you. I would like to visit during Holy Week though, as it’s the only time of the year when the collection of relics is displayed.

recommended for Cristian

It was the first time I was in a city so big, and the cathedral was one of the first stops on our trip (three weeks in Europe with a high school tour group, when I was 16). I just remember being absolutely blown away by the size of the place, and all of the minute details that were EVERYWHERE…especially the stone carvings around the doors. It was just the tip of the iceberg on a trip that opened my eyes to the amazing diversity of places there are on this planet.

I didn’t know that the famous gargoyles are chimeras!!

Climb to the top. You will NOT be disappointed.

This cathedral was a massive giant – it’s rectangular form gave it integrity. It was imposing, with an empty square in front of it. The space around it said to me – It’s important!

Many tourists take photos in the open area, and it is also a place for advertising tents.

Missed: Hearing music in this place would be quite an experience. Missed: Sitting down in a seat.

Recommendation: To study the gargoyles and stained glass – bring binoculars.