NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL, PARIS

NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL, PARIS

I visited the awesome Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, in May 24, 2010.

Little did I know that is the 'first and last' time I will see her. 

NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL

On April 15, 2019, massive fire guts Notre-Dame Cathedral – gutting the roof of the Paris landmark and stunning France and the world.

The fire, after burning for fifteen hours, was finally extinguished – it was assumed that the fire was accidental.

The cathedral sustained serious damage including the destruction of the timber spire over the crossing and most of the lead-covered wooden roof above the stone vaulted ceiling.

POSING WITH A MUMMY OUTSIDE THE CATHEDRAL

Notre-Dame de Paris means 'Our Lady of Paris' often referred to simply as Notre-Dame. It is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the 'lle de la Cite' in the 4th arrondissement of Paris.

The Cathedral is consecrated to the Virgin Mary and considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.

Its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttress, its colorful rose windows, and the naturalism and abundance of its sculptural decoration set it apart from the earlier Romanesque style.

NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL

Artwork, relics and antiques stored at the cathedral are – the supposed Crown of Thorns which Jesus wore prior to his cruxifixion and a piece of the cross on which he was crucified, a 13th-century organ, stained-glass windows, church bells and bronze statues of the Twelve Apostles.

STATUE SITTING ATOP THE CATHEDRAL

The cathedral's construction was begun in 1160 under Bishop Maurice de Sully, and completed by 1260, though it was modified frequently in the following centuries – desecration during French Revolution (1790) and the roof caught fire undergoing renovation (April 15, 2019).

Interest in the cathedral blossomed after the publication of Victor Hugo's novel Notre-Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame) which led to major restoration project between 1844 – 1864.

STATUE IN A ROW

As the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Paris, Notre-Dame contains the cathedra of the Archbishop of Paris. In 1805, Notre-Dame was given the honorary status of a minor basilica.

The cathedral is renowned for its Lent semons founded by the famous Dominican Jean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire in the 1860s.

Approximately 12 million people visit Notre-Dame annually, making it the most visited monument in Paris.

BEAUTIFULLY CARVED DOOR OF THE CATHEDRAL

MAY 24, 2010

THE '5' CONTINENTS OF EUROPE

THE '5' CONTINENTS OF EUROPE

The five continents of Europe namely Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Germany and Paris is the most popular route – where one can discover all the places in a 10-day tour by land.

I had signed up for the five continents tour in July 2003 costing RM3000 – which started with the Channel Crossing to Brussels, Belgium.

AMSTERDAM MARKET

DAY 1 – Channel Crossing – join coach services to Brussels

DAY 2 – 2D1N – Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, the modern centre of the EU, still has its old world charm – of cobbler road and squares in the city centre. It is a free and easy day – where I spent most of time exploring the historic town and take photographs along the way. Attractions found in the city centre include – Our Lady Asst Church, Church of Notre Dame, Sain Grey, LA Bourse, and Grand Place (Market Place). Do not forget to capture a photograph of Manneken-Pis – a legendary Brussels figure and a hero which glory has widely spread. The Manneken-Pis statue can found at every corner of the town. Another must not missed is the “Statue of Everard 't Serclaes” - a customary to rub the hand of the statue – to bring good luck. I even hold and rub the hand of Everard 't Serclaes. 

BELGIUM - STATUE OF EVERRD'T SERCLAES

DAY 3 & 4 – 3D2N – Hague, Amsterdam

Drive through Dutch dyke country to The Hague - a delightful city of 1000 bridges. Visit to diamond cutter's workshop. Second day is free & easy – walk around the market by day and the Red Lights District by night. I wrote a separate story for Amsterdam titled Holland in my blog.

AMSTERDAM - CANAL

 

DAY 5 2D1N - Cologne, Rhineland, Germany

After Amsterdam, drive southwards by way of Cologne into the lvoely landscape of the Rhineland for overnight. The morning begins with an included Rhine Cruise with some legendary sights including the Lorelei Rock when cruising from Boppard to Oberwesel. The river cruise passed by the Cuckoo Town, Castles and legendary houses located by the river side.

GERMANY - RHINELAND CRUISE

DAY 6 & 7 3D2N - Lake Lucerne , Switzerland

On first day morning in Lake Lucerne - taking in the impressive city walls, a covered wooden bridge and the Lion Monument – a masterful stone sculpture in honour of the heroic Swiss guard of Louis XVI. The Lion Monument – was built for the 2 Switz guard who lost their lives in Paris during the French Revolution, in 1792. The lion is carved into a rock symbolised strength to show to remind people of the tragic incident. The facial expression of the lion is painful in the hole of a pig. Donations to upkeep the monument.

SWITZERLAND TOWN

A must visit place is the Mount Titlis – take a cable car (rotair) ride to the summit of Mt Titlis for some spectacular views of the Alps. Titlis is the highest mountain excursion in central Switzerland and the region's largest year-round skiing and snow-boarding Eldorado. The rotair is theh world's first revolving cable car. Titlis is a unique snow and glacier paradise and the fastest reachable glacier from Lucerne, Zurich and Basel. Here, visitors can experience the following – ice flyer chair lift, glacier park, snow park/slopes, glacier cave, restaurants/bar, unique panorama, glacier path, souvenirs and snow sports. 

THE ALPS (MT TITLIS)

On the second day – free & easy around the town centre to view the vistas of green pastures and attractive chalets with rustic timbering and luxuriant flowers.

DAY 8, 9 3D2N – Paris

Enter into France – past some of its most famous vineyards to Paris. Free & easy for the two days – on the first day I spent time to explore the exciting city – Notre Dome Cathedral, La Sorbonne, Boulevard St Germain, Eiffel Tower, Opera, Champs Elysees and the Rue de Rivoli. On second day, I took the enchanting river cruise and take it easy, here. Go for Chinese food (chap fun) which costs RM70 for two plates of chap fun, for lunch time.

I wrote a separate story on Paris, in my blog.

PARIS

DAY 10 - FAREWELL EUROPE, BACK HOME

JULY 2007

ROMANTIC PARIS - EIFFEL TOWER

MONA LIZA

MONA LIZA - IS SHE REAL OR A FANTASY??

I can’t wait to see the original Mona Liza. She is still so much alive. She now resides and well-kept at Lourve Museum in Paris. What contributed to the museum’s throng of crowds is caused by the “Mona Liza” factor - her natural smile and her evergreen popularity as she grows in age.

The first time I saw ‘her’ was at the age of 16, when I visited a classmate’s house - a gigantic duplicate portrait of Mona Liza.

Ironically, when I saw the original piece of Mona Liza - it only measures 0.77-metre by 0.53-metre. I am surprised. I expected the painting to be as huge as the duplicate copy. Or at least ‘big’ enough for me to capture her using my D40 Nikon camera. The crowded room made it more difficult to capture a clear photograph of Her. Visitors drop by in ‘thousands’, rushing to see Her placed in room six. There was a divider to prevent visitors from reaching to near to Her, thus destroying the priceless photograph.

After viewing Her for 30 minutes, I as the million question “Why is she so famous? What is so special about this Italian painting drawn by Leonard-Da-Vinci (1503-1507) stands up above the rest of the other artists in the world?

Perhaps, it is Her charming ‘smile’ - she smiles at you at whichever angle you may view her. If viewed for a longer time, her expression seems to change. Her feature expression seems alive and moving. Her smile hits you straight and you cannot leave the museum without saying “alas I saw the real Mona Liza”.  She is actually looking so alive!

According to Destination Louvre Guide Book, the identity of the model remained unknown for years. She is thought to have been Liza Gherardini, daughter of a rich merchant who married to Francesco del Giocondon in 1495. She is seated on a balcony overlooking an eerie landscape, strangely rocks can be seen through a bluish mist.

When Leonardo began his portrait, the woman was in mourning for her baby daughter, this is why she wears a black veil over her head. To life her spirits, the artist brought musicians to bring a smile to her lips - a smile of sadness and great gentleness, which made the portrait famous over the years.

Leonardo spent many years painting this portrait, reworking on it until perfection. He took it with him, whenever he travels.

The management of museum has hinted that they may be keeping the painting away from public viewing, to protect the colour tone of the aged portrait that seems to be fading away with time. The painting will be kept away in a dark room, not exposed to lights and photography activity which may spoil it.

MONA LIZA HAS PROVOKED FASCINATION AND FANTASY FOR CENTURIES

LOUVRE MUSEUM

PARIS

 AWESOME PARIS


A visit to Paris is incomplete without exploring the Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Paris and France, one of the world’s most popularly recognisable landmarks.

The tower stands at 324 metres, weighs 10,100 tons and tapering sharply into the sky.

It was built by Gustav Eiffel in 1889 for the World Fair. It was meant to be a temporary structure and demolished after the fair, but it remains till today as a ‘splendid’ piece of creation in Paris.

EIFFEL TOWER

 

Away from Eiffel tower, the Champs Elyses is where the city’s best fashion houses, arts, hotels, opera house and theatre are.

SHOP TILL YOU DROP

At the western end stands the famous Arc de Triomphe, the largest triumphal arc in the world at 49 metres height and 44 metres wide. Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate the victories of his Grand Armee and has been the focal point for state funerals.

BIRD'S VIEW OF PARIS CITY

Interestingly, one must visit the Lourve Museum - home to the Mona Liza - a Renaissance-style place is fronted by a space-age glass pyramid.

LOURVE MUSEUM

 

Another must visit place is the Catedral de Notre-Dame, a church which was once targated for demolition but was revived during the Gothic period and the popularity of Victor Huge’s Hunchback of Notre-Dame brought back the fame of the Catholic church.

NOTRE DAM CHURCH

 

Other must see places in central Paris - Paris Es Ses Maveilles Fountain, Louis Philippe Tower, Latin Quarter, Pon dest Arts, Montmatre Hill (Balcony of Paris), Pigalle (Red District). Take a cruise down river located at central Paris.

SCENIC RIVER CRUISE