After completing my tour of the Hôtel de Ville, I continued through Paris, guided more by feeling than by plan. Even though the day was cold, gloomy and dry, with that gentle wind that crept under your jacket, Paris still had that quiet elegance of its own. Street after street, everything was leading me to a place that I knew would be a special moment of the trip.
I arrived by metro line, and when I got out, I first saw the building that I already wrote about in the last blog. The view of the Hôtel de Ville somehow became familiar to me, almost familiar, so I walked on, crossed the bridge, and after a few steps, I saw the silhouette of Notre-Dame rising above the Seine.
It's one of those sights that makes you slow down. Even if you stop thinking.
When you stand in front of Notre-Dame, you understand why it is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture in the world. The facade is so detailed that you could spend hours just looking at its statues, gargoyles, stained glass and carvings. I stayed for a long time, I photographed almost every corner, because it is impossible to choose just one detail that delights you.
And even though the weather was cloudy and cold, that grey ambience even added a mysterious atmosphere to the whole scene. It's as if the cathedral is perfectly integrated into that day.
A history that resonates
They started building the Notre-Dame Cathedral in 1163, during the time of Bishop Maurice de Sali, and the church was built for more than 180 years. It is the place of coronations, the place of historical decisions, the place of revolts and revolutions, and most importantly, the place that has survived everything.
It survived wars, revolutions, and that terrible fire in 2019 when the whole planet watched as the flames engulfed the roof. Many thought that Paris would lose its symbol, but today, as you stand under it, you see that it has been restored with so much love and attention that it seems as if it has been reborn.
Getting inside
Unlike previous years, it is now possible to go inside again. And of course I had to use it.
As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by silence. That silence that can rarely be felt anywhere, the silence that respects you. The air smelled of incense and old wood. The tall stained glass windows let in just enough light to make the room look magical, but not too bright.
And then the completely unexpected happened, I ran into a moment that will remain in my memory forever.
A wedding was taking place in the middle of the main ship. The newlyweds, the priest, the family, everything seemed modest and calm, but incredibly beautiful. It was as if the cathedral decided to share a part of its soul with me.
I climbed a little closer, but respectfully not to be in the way. In that moment, other people's moments of happiness became part of my journey. And that's probably the most beautiful thing about travelling, it's pure life, caught by chance.
Although I photographed many parts of the interior, I observed some places only with my eyes. Sculptures of saints, rows of columns that disappear in the height, countless candles and altars that remember the centuries, everything seems to tell its own story.
It is interesting how massive and gentle Notre-Dame is at the same time. Big, powerful, yet warm and quiet. It's as if the architects built both strength and peace into it.
Although there is a nice park behind Notre-Dame, I did not visit it this time. I left it for my next visit, which is probably a good thing., Paris is a city that should be left unfinished, so you always have a reason to come back.
Notre-Dame won me over in a way that only historical places can, quietly, deeply and sincerely.
Maybe it was a cold day, maybe the wind was biting your cheeks, but all that disappears when you stand in front of a building that has lasted for almost nine centuries. And when you go inside and find a wedding... well, that's already something special.
If there is one place that everyone must see at least once in Paris, it is Notre-Dame.
Not because she's famous, but because she reminds you how beautiful it is to be just a passing through time.
I hope you enjoyed reading and looking at the photos. I enjoyed making this blog; I hope you did too. Until next time, "Regards!"