We’re not sure when places of worship went from being the most beautiful buildings in a town or city to being mega-churches that look more like warehouses than churches, but that has become the case in a lot of cities and towns here in the US. Obviously you don’t need to be surrounded by ornate artwork, stained glass windows, or marble columns to express your faith, but it used to be an expression of the citizens to make sure that the church was more beautiful than any of the homes in town. Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most well-known churches in the world and its French gothic style is absolutely stunning. It is definitely a shining example of how glorious a church can be when the citizens come together to create something that stands the tests of time and is as wonderful today as when it was first built.
The intricate sculptures and gargoyles have made Notre-Dame the centerpiece of stories since it was built in the 14th century. As gorgeous as it is to visit during the day, it is even more stunning at night when it is lit up to reveal all of the details of its architecture. Taking one of the river tours that takes you around the cathedral is another great way to see Notre-Dame from another angle. We wish that we would have had more than a couple of days to see Notre-Dame since there is truly so much to see.
Although there is definitely a lot to see when visiting Paris, we highly recommend that you take the time to really enjoy the Notre-Dame Cathedral. It is worth more than just stopping by for a couple of quick photos of its ornate façade, there is so much more to see. It is one of those iconic locations that everyone knows about, but if you take your time when visiting it, you will enjoy all of the little details that make up the entire experience.
Yes, beautiful and also full of history, but… some modern churches can be beautiful inspiring and conducive to prayer. Next time you visit Rome, don’t miss Richard Meier’s breathtaking “Jubilee Church”. – it’s a superb example of wonderfully apt architecture, and was relegated to an outlying district. It’s generally ignored by the city’s marketing because ancient history’s meant to be the hallmark of this city 🙁
We will definitely check it out ☺
Lovely post – I couldn’t have said it better myself. There is something so stunning and breathtaking about all of the churches/cathedrals I’ve visited in Europe. The Notre-Dame de Paris was no exception 🙂
Thank you and thanks for reading ☺
Oh la la. I remember sitting inside the cathedral. So serene. 🌟✨🌟
Yes it is ☺