![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWfnhyphenhyphen51slFwI2suHgbulRlIwWF6wsleSj2tAc9sQJQPISt2R6xFM47m4Rnp5hXjQBvepcsOBOlv62FHJg-p6ob-qKKRFOnLFuOEcmwtg6H1vgU2S9nSd3s0Y_T0pin_mdXBqBe7ruj4/s640/DSC09987_edited-1.jpg)
In February of 2015, I visited Notre-Dame de Paris. I didn't know then that it might be my last in this lifetime. One never knows when one has seen a sight or held a loved one close for the very last time. I am now 66 years old - I don't know if they can restore this precious icon and open it again to the public within my remaining years. I have heard estimates for reconstruction of years to decades.
I pay tribute and honor to the citizens of Paris and France for the recent tragedy that has befallen the grand Notre-Dame. I mourn with you.
The following images and text were made on my visit in 2015 and I reproduce them here in remembrance:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWnL5RdSdaunKkAdo3Nvaj15PRU5uCFkRHq0bIZgW2UJsn-YhiwUrUA_3TriXBSgH2N3ndpdQ6O8JorOSsuNzhsu5gJVP7AdnAKo0e-ff8geGsAcVZlqck_KINffxCpbSorI2tBOWejA/s640/DSC09941_edited-1.jpg)
I am not a formally religious man but, wandering around in Notre-Dame was truly a powerful emotional experience. The grandeur and history of this almost thousand year-old church was awe-inspiring. As it was a Sunday, regular Mass was ongoing for the hundreds who attended; all the while tourists were circulating at the periphery, almost all with their smart phone cameras, tablets, point-and-shoots, or DSLRs - it seemed that everyone had a photographic device of some kind to record this special place and moment in their life.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUesoew3JMB_yNM3e0Mc9lQNt6NNRHcb-d3jGwgmDoTkROMn1bPExy8SjfzsAjj2m9vu05VhaiFbXSLJsAj_dhmXLsCM7vy0QkK4DADcWJLF3cZt7SElPetubVaBXv0IpPb9kdLA8AT4/s640/DSC09923_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTSupviLrvMubST74ccP6C_AO6-LIAM-70wxb6tv0PGo_WutvdVX3_JyHv29wehklVfBXZbNVgx-vkzsNoby9unBNQC26KYH_vs7P12TeDFqF6v7ZBN3vmCq4V6k-Ggh1uSMK0j-DCwA/s640/DSC09930_edited-1.jpg)
The side aisles were less crowded with worshippers than the central nave. The nave is to the right on the other side of the marble columns in this image.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pyR3Jw_G-OQiNdon7YijXQ3H223SrpRzYTnrLo_aRG1oPkB29fgA7mP8n1jUaQu5yyyuQA-mFH_nh38eLnf-J4SRCW80P6jHUbFZ0rWapKVhmAjx2QgIEAc9JQ06lPqBDnORCbdaB4k/s640/DSC09962_edited-1.jpg)
Not everyone could focus on the Priest's words - this sweet child chose quiet dancing and twirling instead.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjMvzc5gMGIA_IcXHTal7NbkuaVrRZPF03aDDfidF6knap3c8dUbVH7KRbpq8u8hW_tQGXDd_O-8WJyjJqJ0VAmVIVggqW0pfCEQmtyr2gEBkcxpz_Uz1w7Wfu2s8sshAZRY9jAI5YD0/s640/DSC09851_edited-1.jpg)
The line to get in was about 100 meters/yards long but it shuffled along quickly and once inside, it did not feel very crowded. There is no admission fee.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinekP8asohiV4B1bXCYTzMH04Mj3wudm7TQaGrif9S7uznqV7pxm-CaJaS_aIOjwsEIhUwhdo_bSmwrmHbLDSy1O1Eh6HnG9gBXvPG6YFGvNGoCFrLJqfjTCBUKz-_HU8rXt9TyaiuEEc/s640/DSC09865_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvELwee3_b9fwEFuJ68pfI3ZAyM92AQlt5pEHyISNhUC5WxsOOiqu088aEvNyqXqMgV0jAyXl8xc7YTUvEcZZVW8IEDLJkU0agCJEsq2ayVw4aK-clODyAmaYDSl_8trBkjP-2CMTupPg/s640/DSC09860_edited-1.jpg)
Marble statue of Joan of Arc.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xq0qrZTmiFP1Rz3BxN4zF0OppB2rh9Vud3Tw3RsuHQt6_OOac2G2i5_s0E7FDDJNRB6IWGFXbk0NW5A6ltSMoCQOUBg0USMW_ImPwJ6_VzwpyzKE2HA1HzX-5gHf6HP3OCItmuioh_A/s640/DSC09888_edited-1.jpg)
Soaring ceilings and details had many visitors walking around with their necks craned upward - including me.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi7m8uRB86SK0kVTRpkZoaEddxwRkjqhs8VkYB3Cd4iQh_TUGndQJSlIAQoBcpIVNINfSVd5W6uVpKOPsWiP5RGXm0m-9-vbIjTWO-4NEUsCzqEFiPbkP-KbXBWhVbJrqXrK8N-Oryvw/s640/DSC09970_edited-1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQWbb8Xn6Q6CGn0JJU4DeMty4DLIqADBGlsaLZJ5Dqo30fNeof2UFeHsXmbwpbRPIXp_0xY-zn2zfc5B5BFh72wrBm_Jx-tbD4heoP7ZoqV-1ohSctMLD3u6F1oVcv91Wq5_PTI9j8ag/s640/DSC09918_edited-1.jpg)
The light streaming in the stained glass windows was ethereal.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKgVaxqI79U4edJmTc8cf90qS5vok31W4da6TeXhn6vYWiXM6LAdR40Chs9G0oqB-4CGQFq6nkgRpvDGnUetPmqnRabtHmHBZfivH3cV9YRfy2QOClHa6R3eh4ulCf_-YbVNB1wiT3b0/s640/DSC09895_edited-1.jpg)
This wood replica helps to appreciate the scale and complexity of the entire structure. The actual building construction began in 1163 and continued for almost 200 years.
My husband and I have made several trips to Paris. As someone with ancestors from every corner of France, I was awestruck on my first visit. It was the Mother Church for me. i am devastated and share your concern about the time it will take to restore.
ReplyDelete