A Week in Paris - Notre Dame

When my wife and I began our list of places to see in Paris, it started with Notre Dame. The soaring vaults steeped in film and literature are among the most iconic architecture in the world. Even though there are numerous Notre-Dame-de-cities across France, there is only one Notre Dame. After the 2019 fire the cathedral reopened earlier this year. While the tickets are free, its best to have a reserved time slot - nearly 15,000 are released each day.

The freshly renovated and cleaned nave is absolutely stunning. The vaults reach skyward with sunning proportion. The lighting helps lift your view skyward to the stunning stained glass windows. We visited in September - after the rush of summer tourists has left - but even though the space was crowded, it wasn’t overly packed. Its best to try and get a time slot in the morning to beat the crowds. For an even better morning, take your breakfast Boulangerie Liberte just a few blocks away - their Croissant Jambon is to die for.

While you’re walking around the chapels, don’t sleep on the art. Ranging from pieces dated to when the cathedral first opened in the late 1200s to modern masterpieces, you could spend hours just taking in the master’s paintings. As you wander the edges of the church, imagine what it must have been like for the average Parisian to see a structure like this in the 13th century. You could only think to connect it to the divine. Even though Notre Dame is a sight to be believed, it might be eclipsed by another church only blocks away. Come back later this week to see one of the most amazing spaces in Paris.