After our brief rest at the hotel, Bill departed for the evening EuroCloud Summit dinner, so Tina and I had a night in front of us. We decided there was enough light in the day to visit Notre Dame first and then head over to the Sorbonne to enjoy a delicious French dinner. We wanted to make the most of the evening after our Big Red Bus tour.
Tina and I remembered visiting Notre-Dame de Paris in 1973 with Mom. This was before the restoration effort had begun (1991), and I remember well the grayish-blackish tint that covered much of the front edifice. At the time, the grime of the centuries somewhat hid the grandeur of the amazing entrances, carvings and gargoyles but the totality of the entire church still was impressive, to say the least.
During our mid-March 2011 trip, the entire presentation was vastly different. The Western façade of Notre Dame Cathedral was clean with a beautiful gray incandescence. All the carvings were visible and bright. To remember the contrast made you feel the carved entrances could now be appreciated to their fullest. We felt lucky to know the difference.
The surrounding square sets off the church magnificently, giving it space to balance the immensity of the structure. Construction of the cathedral began in 1160 and was largely complete by 1260, although substantial updates have occurred over the years. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, with innovative use of the rib vault and flying buttresses. Continue reading “Notre Dame and Dinner Near the Sorbonne”