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Archive for October, 2011
Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral – Paris, France
4 months ago
by lori
in Uncategorized
Notre Dame de Paris is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and in Europe. It was restored and saved from destruction by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, one of France’s most famous architects. The name Notre Dame means “Our Lady” in French, and is frequently used in the names of Catholic Church buildings in Francophone countries. Notre Dame de Paris was one of the first Gothic cathedrals construction began in 1160. 
Notre Dame de Paris was among the first buildings in the world to use the flying butress (arched exterior supports). The building was not originally designed to include the flying buttresses around the choir and nave. After the construction began and the thinner walls (popularized in the Gothic style) grew ever higher, stress fractures began to occur as the walls pushed outward. In response, the cathedral’s architects built supports around the outside walls, and later additions continued the pattern. The cathedral was essentially complete by 1345.
It’s free to go inside the Cathedral. If you want to see some gargoyles up close admission is 8 euro per person to climb some stairs to walk on a caged ledge to see views of Paris and some of the gargoyles. It was impressive to see the gargoyles but it was very crowded and there is not a lot of space to move around. Notre Dame Cathedral is a definite must see when visiting Paris.
Eiffel Tower – Paris, France
We visited the Eiffel Tower on a beautiful October afternoon. It wasn’t very crowded at all, we waited a very short time to get our tickets and board the elevator. The viewing platforms seemed crowded and due to a long line for the elevator going down, we opted for the stairs. If you are able, the stairs are the way to go – up and down to avoid the crowded elevator ride, plus the stairs are less expensive. My impression of Paris from the viewing platforms was that the city is massive. Buildings for as far as the eye can see. Going to the top was a great way to get a bird’s eye view of this iconic city.
Fast Facts:
A symbol of Paris and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It was built by Gustave Eiffel in 1887-1889 in the Chanp-se-mars for the Paris exposition of 1889. The tower was almost torn down in 1909 and only saved due to its use as a telegraphy antenna. The tower is 984 ft high and consists of an iron framework supported on four masonry piers, from which rise four columns uniting to form one shaft. Three platforms at different heights (the intermediate platform just above the junction of the columns is 644 ft high) are reached by stairs and elevators. The tower has become the most prominent symbol of both Paris and France, a global landmark and is the most-visited paid monument in the world.
We’re back in the US
I was fortunate to have experienced many new things in the past 18 months while living in England – Now that we are back in the USA I’m going to look back on all the amazing things we did and share some of the photos here on my blog. Expat life wasn’t always easy but it sure was life changing. As the old proverb goes: “He who returns form a journey is not the same as he who left.”
Stonehenge – Wiltshire, England
Stonehenge was one of the first places we visited when we arrived in the UK. It was located just an hours’ drive from our house. I think we visited at least 6 times ~ if not more over the 19 months we lived there. It only takes about an hour to listen to the audio guide, it’s a fascinating place.
Fast Facts: Stonehenge is in a World Heritage Site of over 2000 hectares that is considered one of the most archaeologically rich in Europe. Its age: estimated at 3100 BC. It is home to some of the most important Neolithic and Bronze Age finds and structures in the UK, and contains some 200 scheduled monuments.