Once a little Gallo Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter, this Gothic masterpiece celebrates its 850th anniversary this year.
A thirteen meter high temporary structure built across from the entrance, works like a mini amphitheater for celebratory events in the Place du Parvis, and is a great, if rather ugly, vantage point to view its magnificent facade.
Yet it was the alternative views of the Grand Dame of Paris, that I found more appealing. Her distinctive spire guiding us back each time, to the very heart of the city of lights.
Until next time……..happy travels, no matter where life takes you.
The Urge To Wander 
Wow, 850 years!! Glad I got to visit in person.
Great post, Madhu!
Lovely pictures of this historic temple. Must be a beautiful experience seeing it live.
Thanks.
It’s so beautiful there Madhu and you captured it all so well. Thanks for sharing hon. 😀 *hugs*
Great shots of this iconic structure, Madhu. Wow, 850 years!
Living in the US, it is difficult to fathom the age of some of these stunning wonders.
It’s been way too long since I spent any proper time in Paris – you’ve just whetted my appetite with your gorgeous photos 🙂
No matter the point of view, it’s always a pleasure to lay my sights on Paris! Beautiful shots, Madhu!
🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you!!!
“What is behind the tapestry? Beyond the wall and then even further out of the room, outside the building? Beyond any barrier or frontier’s concept designed by man?”
The Annwyn’s thoughts are like the leaves of a tree in autumn: colorful visions that swirl endlessly and then lean slightly on his heart.
Hathor’s mind runs fast retracing the rue Lagrange to the Seine: the Notre Dame is there, in its unbridled greatness, unchanged over the centuries. Those walls built on sacred places where they worshiped a very ancient cult, have seen civilizations rise and fall. Vestiges of people who have testified in poverty or in luxury, burning of martyrs for religious ideals or social alongside those who had the courage to point the finger towards tyranny.
[taken from “The Annwyn’s secret”] :-Dclaudine
Amazing, beautiful shots, Madhu! Having seen these pics, I feel like to go back again…
When I visited Paris in 2007, the Notre Dame was under a restoration work to clean its exterior and make it gleam once again. I went inside and there was a mass under the dimmed lights in a summer night. Truly magical!
Paris at night …. Ahhhh! Looking at your pictures, I don’t have to close my eyes and imagine back my two nights in Paris. Thanks forthe memory nudge.
Great post, Madhu. As always thank you for sharing the beautiful places in the world. -Max-
Hi Madhu,
Fascinating post and I must confess I was not aware of this alternative perspective of Notre Dame.
Good to be back here after a while.
Shakti
850th ? must be a pretty good temple to visit
Impressive photos… 🙂
Reblogged this on yasarnorman.
Great photos. I went to paris when I was small but I’d love to go again now that I can appreciate it more. I’ve missed reading your blog over the summer when I was not doing as much blogging. I hope I can catch up with it again. 🙂
Yes, visited this masterpiece and plan to return 🙂
Lovely shots and varied views, Madhu.
Have a great week ahead,
Eric
Oh how I love your different points of view of Notre Dame, Madhu. The bench, the food, the flowers, the Seine and the nighttime view: all are fabulous! I’ve been to Paris twice and I’ll always hold it close to my heart. 🙂
The layout of your page is beautifully constructed.
My favourite view is from Ile St Luis. Paris looks good from any aspect.
How good to step back and find alternative points of view for this much photographed beauty.
Notre Dame was one of my favorite places in Paris. I could have stayed up top looking out over the city forever.
thank you for these lovely glimpses of our lady of paris!
What a great take, Madhu… 🙂 Love them.. !!
Happy you do Bams 🙂 Thank you.
Fantastic!!!
Pedro.
Thank you Pedro! Appreciate your stopping by to comment.
Thanks
Fantastic 🙂
Thanks Gilly 🙂
Beautiful, especially the night view. 🙂
Ah, another owl!! Thanks Manu 🙂
Owl, just for tonight. It’s not usual. 😛
Simbly Beautiful. I have a thing for photographing old churches and old cemeteries, especially those with gothic architecture – so atmospheric.
Then I have a lovely cemetery to show you, although it might not be old compared to Turkish standards 🙂
Notre Dame’s spire and the Eiffel Tower are magnificent sites that can be seen almost all over Paris. Love your photos, Madhu.
Hard to miss them really. Thanks Judy.
Judy, just checked out your Gargoyle post and it is fabulous! Thought Id let you know how much I loved it, since comments are closed on that post 🙂
Great views!
Thanks Sue. She happened to be in the background, wherever we looked!
Not a bad sight to have, eh? 🙂
She’s always intriguing, Madhu – like you!
I like intriguing Ann Christine!!! Although I daresay, that image might be shattered if you met me in person 😀
Ha, ha, I really don’t think so… or, I’m rather convinced it wouldn’t be…!
😀
What great photos of this beautiful church. I was taking photos there on Tuesday before returning to the US and found the structure out front to be a challenge. You’re taking the time to get a number of pictures from different angles and with food or flowers in the foreground made for a great collection of images.
I thought that structure was unsightly, although you do get a better view of the facade.There were huge screens across some of the stained glass panels inside the Sainte Chapelle too.
Appreciate your stopping by to comment. Hope to see you around 🙂
A beautiful compass to guide you. 850 years. Amazing. Your moveable feast had the best view.
Thanks Lynne. We had planned to have our picnic in the garden in the first image. Good thing it was closed when we arrived, for we ended up at a better spot 🙂
VERY NICE
GREETING(s)from ANDREA
BEAUTIFUL DAY
Thank you Andrea. A beautiful day to you too 🙂
I have also a good day my love.
Thank you for the compliment to me.
Sincerely Andrea
850th year?!!!
An amazing temple, indeed. I had the pleasure of seeing it in life.
Beautiful views, Madhu!
🙂
Hard to believe isn’t it? Thank you and have a great week Marina 🙂