Notre Dame

Notre Dame Cathedral is a Parisian Catholic church which welcomes ''global'' parishioners each day for worship, as well as travellers who come to appreciate over 700 years of divinity and architecture. On previous visits I only saw it from the outside but this year fate called me on a historic day, one remembered in sadness: the day Pope John Paul II died. My sister and I walked around this massive, beautiful interior and we slowly realised the priest was praying sadly, amid holy incense and across the floor a growing ''lake'' of candles with a photograph of the ailing Pope centre-place. We thought he had died but other visitors quietly advised us ...

Located in the very heart of Paris and on the Cité island in the middle of the river Seine, Notre Dame cathedral represents the apitome of gothic design. Although construction began at around 1160, it wasn't until 90 years later that the two towers on the west side were erected and another 550 years when the grand spire was added. The towers were to have had spires of their own, but these were never completed. In 1804, it was at the cathedral that Napoleon was crowned as Emperor of France. The 386 steps that take you to 69 meters (226 feet) from street level are well worth the climb, as you are rewarded with stunning views of central paris and beyond and ...

Notre Dame must be one of the most famous churches in the world, and visiting it you can really see why. The church is situated on Ile De La Cite, in the heart of Paris on the Seine. The foundation stone was laid in 1163 beginning the long and illustrious history of this impressive Catholic church. Kings were crowned here, Joan of Arc was canonized here in 1920 and perhaps most famously of all Victor Hugo wrote about the church. The building itself is huge and imposing, with an incredible architectural design which is both intricate and solid looking. Entry to the church is free but you must be careful what you take photos of, never wear a hat, remain fairly ...