Strolling across to the Ile de la cite to see Notre-Dame.
Notre Dame marks the center of Paris. All other distances are measured from here. It is French Gothic architecture and a site that has been occupied by other churches and Catholic Paris for hundreds of years.
Notre Dame
Inside the 700 year old cathedral.
It can accommodate 6000 worshippers.
Saints for days.
Looking up to see the gargoyles and flying buttresses.
The rear of Notre-Dame
We stopped in the square Jean XXIII to rest and eat lunch. We usually packed waters, baguettes, ham and cheese and fruit, and gummies for a lunch al fresco every day. They had a band playing and the girls had an absolute blast dancing together.
We lunched right by a "Love Bridge". This bridge is the Pont de l'Archeveche over the Seine.
A relatively new trend is to leave locks on certain bridges and then throw the key into the Seine as a symbolic sign for tourists.
The girls were very fascinated by it all. And we kind of left a few behind. Apparently this trend has swept to other cities around the world. I read later that the locks have caused some parts of the bridge at Pont des Arts to collapse. I felt a little guilty but know that they will be cut off eventually.
Chasing the pigeons...
Sainte-Chapelle
This is my very favorite chapel in the world. Sainte-Chapelle was built in 1248 by Louis IX to house the crown of the thorns.
There are 15 panels of stained glass with more then 1100 scenes that are different (most are from the Bible). They cover the Christian history of the world.
We were all wowed by its beauty.
Relaxing at the Jardin du Luxembourg.
They have changed a bit in 3 years!
From their last visit in May 2011. :)
Another game of "horsies"
Such a lovely place to relax and sit surrounded by the hustle of the city.
During our last visit, we stayed just a few blocks from the beautiful Jardin and spent a few afternoons here just relaxing with the girls playing.
Walking back and watching the sunset over the Seine.
A chicken nugget value meal for 7.90 Euros. That is almost $10! But 8 euro for a meal in Paris is a steal.
1 comment:
Stunning, love how you added the photo from 2011. How neat for them to see as well!
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