N = Notre Dame Cathedral, French Faves - A to Z Challenge 2015

Our Lady of Paris
aka Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, by DG Hudson

N = Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame de Paris, one of the finest examples of Gothic cathedrals from the medieval period, is one of the largest and most well known of churches. Flying buttresses were integrated into the design to counter the stress fractures that developed from the weight. It was complete by 1345, replacing the Saint Etienne Basilica, which had replaced a Roman temple to Jupiter on the same site.

There is a narrow climb of 387 steps on spiral staircases, to reach the top. As you ascend, the famous bell and gargoyles can be seen, and once you reach the top, Paris lies at your feet.


During the French Revolution in the 1790s, Notre Dame was desecrated, as were many other buildings. Much of the religious imagery was destroyed. Restoration began in 1845. A project of further restoration and maintenance began in 1991. Today, it is a beautiful sight, with something different in its architecture on each side. The square in front of the church is welcoming and populated with a mix of people and pigeons. It also includes the entrance to the Crypt Archeologique and the Centre of Paris stone marker (see last image).

Pigeons on the wing. . .

Notre Dame with Pigeons in Flight, by DG Hudson

Many small individually crafted statues were placed around the outside to serve as column supports and water spouts. Among these are the gargoyles and chimeras, designed for water run-off. 

A Side View of Notre Dame, Paris, by DG Hudson

The cathedral treasury of Notre Dame is notable for housing some of Catholicism's most important relics. (See wiki link below for more detail.) That and the fact of previous churches on this same site must make this sacred / hallowed ground.

Centre of Paris Marker, Notre Dame Square, by DG Hudson

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Do you like visiting churches or cathedrals built in olden times? What do you think of the intricate decorations and the gargoyles and chimera? Have you seen a church or cathedral that made an impression upon you?

Please leave a comment to let me know you stopped by, and if you are part of the A to Z Challenge. I'll be sure to check your blog, and reciprocate. If you're not in the challenge, thanks for stopping by to visit! I try to reply to all comments.

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The A to Z Blog Challenge is brainchild of Lee, at Tossing It Out.  Please visit the A to Z blog site to find out more information and the participant list.  There are also Twitter and Facebook presences if you want to check those!

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References:

Notre Dame Images, previous A to Z post 2012:
http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2012/04/i-ile-de-la-cite-and-ile-saint-louis-to.html

Notre Dame de Paris (re-relics and other details)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris 

Gargoyles and Chimera at Notre Dame
http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/Gargoyles-and-Chimera

Definition of Gargoyles and Chimera: animal and human figures, half-man and half-beast, grotesque, horrific, fantastic creatures with eagles’ beaks and wings, lions’ talons, serpents’ tails

Notre Dame as Sacred destination
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/paris-notre-dame-cathedral

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PARIS - The 'Little Details'

A Carousel in the City

When traveling in your home country or abroad, notice the little things, the fine touches, the attention to craft. Little details enhance an object and help us retain that memory, but only if we notice it. Craft excellence can be seen in objects as well as in writing. Learn to observe the world around you.

A Les Halles Carousel Closeup, Paris, by DG Hudson

Carousels and merry-go-rounds are good examples of decorative details that embellish the whole object. Some carousels in France have two levels, others are smaller with one level. Both styles are lush with embellishments. Bright colors, lots of lights and music are part of the packaging. We saw two, one near Les Halles, and one at the bottom end of the Trocadero Fountains.

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Paris Cobblestones (Street detail)

When older buildings, like the Bastille, were dismantled, the bricks were recovered and used for paving the streets. The bricks shown in the photo below are laid with an overlapping curved pattern. Cobblestones differ in size. Those bricks shown below are smaller than the square cobblestones in Pere Lachaise Cemetery. We walked up a few of the cobblestone streets and entranceways in Montmartre, the Marais, and at Versailles.

Cobblestones in Paris, Fr. by DG Hudson

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Fontaines de la Concorde

The detailed fountain shown below is a popular photo opportunity location in Paris. Small and large spouts of water encircle the fountain, and the statues are embellished with gilding.  Remember the old movies of the past with shots of the fountains of Paris? This is another one of those meeting spots where people like to congregate and get their bearings, and it's a cooling spot when the weather's hot.

Fontaines de la Concorde, Paris Fr., by DG Hudson

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The Dome

Observing the dome rising behind the arched entrance in the photo below, I was reminded of Victorian styling and attention to detail, much of which is incorporated in 'steampunk' design. Can you imagine the view from that round window, and what about the room behind the window? This building is situated behind the 'walking' statue of General Charles de Gaulle on one of the main thoroughfares in Paris.

Detail of Dome and Arch on Building, by DG Hudson

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Our Lady of Paris, Notre Dame de Paris

The delicacy of detail in the architecture of Notre Dame is something to behold. Considering when it was built, the feat is impressive.

Notre Dame Cathedral Detail, Front, by DG Hudson

Our Lady of Paris, Notre Dame, has endless details and embellishments in its Gothic arches and sculptures. I didn't climb the 400 stairs inside the church, the lineup was a long and winding road. Next time, perhaps. I can't help thinking of the Hunchback of Notre Dame, who peered between these stone decorations to watch the people below.


Details make the difference in how we remember a place. In our writing, we can inject that information to bring the reader closer to the scene or location being described.
Record those descriptions on location by whatever method suits you. I keep a travel journal, with notes, sketches and observations for further research on my return.

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Note: the excessive use of a certain word is intentional to make a point.

Any cobblestone streets in your city or town? Buildings with ornate or steampunk/Victorian designs?
OR
Can you name one item with 'little details' that you recall from any travels? Why do you remember it?
Please share in the comments and thanks for stopping by!

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References:

Want more information and photos on Paris? Check the Paris Posts or the Paris, Etc tabs at the top of the page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountains_in_Paris Fountains in Paris

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carousel more info on carousels

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris Notre Dame in Paris


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PARIS - City of Light

Eiffel Tower Lights the Evening - DGH 2010

Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)


Paris with all its lights on shows us a city proud to flaunt its beauty. It’s an impressive sight at night, when buildings take on a golden glow and the Eiffel Tower changes colour by the hour.

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Bright Cafe Lights on the Right Bank - by DGH

  Lights in the Side Streets

In the Marais when evening falls, walkers fill the streets looking for a place to eat and a spot to people watch by the Seine River. On the side streets, light spills out from the cafés and bistros onto the sidewalk, while the cosy tables invite us to stop.

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Bateau Parisiennes Tour - Illuminations - by Green Eye

Illumination Tours

Bateau Parisienne is one of several companies that provide tours of the Seine River day and night. Boats are open style or covered, depending on the weather, and provide an excellent view of the buildings in their evening finery. There are also driving tours available if you prefer the land route.

The unique design of the bridges can be seen as you slip quietly beneath. From this level, it’s also easier to see the detail of architectural grotesques and the unique style of the different bridges. I imagine scenes from the past when beaches ran down to the Seine River, and a few of the oldest bridges were new.

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Look Way Up at Notre Dame - by DG Hudson

 
Notre Dame Cathedral


Notre Dame looms over the Seine, its haunting Gothic style highlighted by the evening glow of lights.  Refer to 'Paris - Architecture Smorgasbord (from my 21st Century blog) for more photos and detail on this inspired building.

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Hôtel de Ville

  

Evening shot of Hotel de Ville with Signposts - by DGH



The Hôtel de Ville watches over the plaza in front, its sculptures lit from beneath. This is Paris City Hall. The quiet fountain off the the side bubbles pleasantly as we walk by, heading to our rental apartment. Public events such as fund-raisers are staged in the square at times. On those occasions, the building dons a different dress. (see 'Transformed photo' in sidebar)

http://www.aviewoncities.com/paris/hoteldeville.htm  Hôtel de Ville


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Hôtel-Dieu de Paris

The illuminated photo of this building appears in another recent Paris post, Apartment Rentals and Booked Tours.

Hôtel-Dieu de Paris is the oldest hospital in Paris, and sits next to Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité. It was also the only hospital until the Renaissance. A few of the towers facing the Seine River have retained their medieval style complete with conical roofs.  Below is the day version.

Hotel D'ieu's conical towers at left - by DG Hudson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel-Dieu_de_Paris  Hotel D'ieu

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Seine River bridges

Always lots to see, on the river or on the bridges.

 

Bridge and Tour boat on the Seine River by DG Hudson

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Samaritain Paris 

This department store in the 1st Arrondisement closed in 2005.  In 2010, the lights still celebrated the store's past.  I liked the current design and the lights.  Who knows how long this version will last?

More info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Samaritaine.





Samaritaine in the Evening by DGH

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A photographer's dream, that's Paris.  It's the urge to capture the essence of the brightness, the thing that gives the city that overall glow.  And I don't mean electricity.
What is it about lights - the neon that seduces us, marquees that invite us in and special lights that enthrall us at certain times of the year?  In Paris, they keep it going year round and light up the best places.  

Do you know of cities like Paris that enhance themselves in the evening with lights, or other public events so people feel comfortable walking about? 

Please share if you do. 

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