NOTRE DAME:
one of the most beautiful sights here in Paris is the Cathedral Notre Dame. like a citadel, it sits on an island in the middle of the Seine River...giving glory to God as water flows around it. there are several bridges that link it to the mainland on both sides of the island which allows for easy access by vehicle or pedistrian. the medieval cathedral has a huge history and it's worth paying the money to get the audio tour. you can also take a tour that takes you up into the cathedral on the outside.
the outside of the cathedral is incredibly beautiful! there is so much carved in the arches and doorways and windows. on the backside there are the flying buttresses (as shown in the photo) and of course, the every present gargoyles acting as protecting water spouts.
the stained glass and the arches are absolutely beautiful and they do allow you to take photos within the sanctuary (as long as there is not a mass going on). there are several side chapels where you can purchase a prayer candle to light. you can also utilize the confessionals and sign a registry.
the cathedral is a short walk from where i'm staying...so i've been able to visit it quite often while in Paris. today i chose to pay the small fee to enter the side room of relics. this is where they have many of the treasury items of the cathedral and some ancient relics (bones of some of the saints housed in ornately adorned gold boxes). Pope Benedict the XVI was in Paris the weekend before we came...he held mass at Notre Dame. so there are also many "souvenir" photos and rosaries with his picture on them that you can purchase.
we were going to try to go to a service sometime during this week that we've been here...but with everything else we found ourselves doing, we never did make it in time. but we did get to enjoy choir music as we toured through the sanctuary. Notre Dame....a must experience when Paris.
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