Notre Dame, Paris
We got a late start today and by the time we got to the Louvre, the lines were at least a half mile long, winding in and around the many wings. We think it was because there was a school break and it was the week before Easter. Many French students and tourists were in Paris. We decided not to wait, but to try it another day to try to skip the lines.
We walked along the Seine and saw ducklings. After crossing the bridge to the island, we went to Notre Dame. The line there was sooooo long that we went first to Sainte Chapelle and waited another hour in a line. It was one of the most beautiful places we had ever been. Instead of stone, there was stained glass for all the walls. They depicted religious stories and it was incredible to see the light shine through them.
We went to a sidewalk café for lunch as it was 2:30 p.m. and we were starving. While we were eating, a little boy inside the restaurant was watching Anneke play a game on an iPad. A little later, he came out and Anneke showed him a child’s game for him to play.
We waited through what we thought would be a long line at Notre Dame, but it moved very quickly. Inside it felt overwhelming due it its size, lighting, and architecture.
We still had some time before everything closed, so we went to the conciergerie (the prison where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution). When you first walked into a room of arches, it felt a lot like Notre Dame, except it was brighter. Inside we saw Marie Antoinette’s holding cell, her chapel, and the ladies’ courtyard where they were allowed to get fresh air.
It gives joy to my heart to hear that you found Sainte Chapelle so beautiful. I thought it was the most beautiful building in Paris--and it is something of a surprise because one doesn't hear as much about it as Notre Dame or Versailles. It is pretty simple but the windows and light are awesome.
ReplyDelete--Your Grandma's friend, Jo Ann.