Notre Dame

We visited Notre Dame on a rainy day but there were breaks in the weather to take a few photos. I have never been to a huge cathedral before. It was beyond words. I kept looking at all the intricate details and wondering why we don't make beautiful structures like this anymore. Here is a close-up of the entry doors. I was blown away by the beauty. Just knowing that someone actually had to plan and make this building and so long ago too.They still hold services here and as we walked around on the inside we were asked to be quiet so that those praying or listening to a service could hear. All around the inside of the building were individual chapels/alcoves to light a candle and pray. It had such a sacred feeling. Even though we saw signs to be quiet I think I would have been anyway because of the awe, serenity and holy feeling there. No flash photography was allowed but you can see how amazing the stained glass windows were. They were all different and along both sides of the cathedral. I think what impacted me after the details was the hugeness of it all. The ceilings are so high. It just goes straight up to a dizzying height. I sat in one of the chairs that is set up for the services and prayed to God, thanking Him for such beauty and that I got to see it while here on this earth. Can you imagine what it would be like to have this be your church that you come to every week?
After we left the tour of the inside we walked around looking for Shakespeare & Co. As we did this we looked across the Seine river and saw the side of the Notre Dame cathedral. It was more spectacular than the front and I am so glad that we did not miss this.