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.  

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.

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.

]]> http://www.sstartravel.com/2011/10/12/were-back-in-the-us/feed/ 0 http://www.sstartravel.com/2011/08/09/dublin/ http://www.sstartravel.com/2011/08/09/dublin/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 09:35:07 +0000 lori http://www.sstartravel.com/?p=586 We decided before our time living in the UK ended we needed to make a trip to Dublin.  The main reason was because my husband Tim is a massive fan of Guinness.  We booked flights with Ryan Air and 2 nights at the Trinity Capitol Hotel and we were set.   Our first (and last) experience with Ryan Air was less than pleasant.  No need to go into the hassles, I’ll just say – never again.  It’s a quick flight to Dublin from London’s Gatwick so I guess that was the silver lining of the flight.  The visitor’s package we received with our hotel included 2 tickets to the Guinness Storehouse and a 2 day pass for the Hop on Hop off Bus.  In all our travels in over the past 18 months we never tried the bus thing, we were pleasantly surprised how informative & convenient it was. 

Saturday morning our first stop was Trinity College, we arrived in time for the 10:15 half hour tour of the campus, the tour included entrance to see the Book of Kells.  After a photo stop at the Molly Malone statute we hopped on the bus – hopped off at the Kilmainham Goal.  We took their guided tour (the only way to see the interior).  It was very interesting and full of Irish History.  After the Goal we walked to the Guinness Storehouse.  It is an old building that has been converted into a museum of sorts with a large shop and the Gravity Bar – a glass enclosed circular room on the top floor where you get a pint of Guinness (included in the almost 15 Euro admission fee).  In my opinion the museum fell short, not presented very well, dimly lit and hard to follow but in the end all anyone is there for is that pint on the top floor.  The Gravity Bar was extremely crowded so we enjoyed our pint, got a few photos (lucky for us it was a clear day) and picked out a few souvenirs.  We then headed towards Christ Church Cathedral where we attended their Evensong service.  The rest of the evening we wandered around seeing St Patrick’s Cathedral and another part of the Bus city tour (Phoenix Park then along the north shore of the River Liffey).  Walked through Temple Bar –which we learned, is an actual area/district and an actual pub.  Speaking of pub’s, we stopped in at Mulligan’s on Poolbeg Street, a no frills establishment with a quite corner to enjoy – you guessed it – a pint of Guinness. 

We found Dublin to be a good city to explore; it’s easy on foot or on bus.  The city has a lot to offer its visitors – history, culture and a great pint of Guinness (or two).  Highlights of our day – The Kilmainham Goal, my first pint of Guinness & Evensong service at Christ Church.     More photos on our Facebook page.

Legend has it that the Archangel Michael appeared to Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, inspiring him to build an oratory on what was then called Mont Tombe.  But Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel’s instruction until Michael burned a hole in the bishop’s skull with his finger. That did the trick. The dedication to St Michael occurred on October 16, 708.  During the Revolution the abbey was closed and converted into a prison, it closed in 1863, and the mount was declared a historic monument in 1874. Mont Saint Michel and its bay were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.
We joined a guided tour of the Abbey.  We saw numerous chapels, the cloisters, the Aquilon Chamber and other rooms, many are not furnished.   One interesting area contained a large diameter wheel (approx. 20 feet) known as the Great Wheel that was used to move goods from the ground to the Abbey.  Built during the period when the Abbey was a prison, it was powered by men (up to 6) who would walk inside of the wheel and propel it in a direction that would wind a rope pulling the supplies into the Abbey.

Despite the weather & the crowds it was a nice visit, I’m glad we made the two hour drive from Honfleur.

More photos are posted on our Facebook page.

The Bayeux Tapestry is a 70m long linen embroidered cloth telling the history of William, Duke of Normandy’s conquest of England in 1066.  It is a unique medieval fresco on display at the Tapestry Museum.  The Tapestry is listed in UNESCO’s “Memory of the World” register.  In the museum you are guided through the tapestry by audio guide telling the story scene by scene.  There is also a movie that helps further explain the tapestry history and story.  Just down the block from the Tapestry museum is the Bayeux Cathedral. 

The Bayeux Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux) is a Norman-Romanesque, located in the town of Bayeux.   It was the original home of the Bayeux Tapestry and is a national monument of France.  The site is an ancient one and was once occupied by Roman sanctuaries. The present cathedral was consecrated on 14 July 1077 in the presence of William, Duke of Normandy and King of England.  It was here that William forced Harold Godwinson to take the oath, the breaking of which led to the Norman conquest of England.  More Bayeux photos on Facebook.

On March 14 the 2012 Olympic Games countdown clock was unveiled.  The launch of the Countdown Clock is a key moment in the build-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is a reminder for people across the UK, as well as international visitors to the capital, that London will soon be hosting the greatest show on earth.  The steel clock measures 6.5 meters high, five meters long and weighs around four tons. Its design reflects the look of the Games, with beams inspired by London and its connection with the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, the home of time.

I just returned from a visit to Lower Normandy France.  Our first stop was Étretat, a pretty little costal town located on the Normandy coast, 20 miles north of Le Havre.   The square has some very attractive and interesting medieval half-timbered buildings around its four sides, with elaborate wood carvings.  There are plenty of shops to browse and restaurants specialising in fish, oysters, moules frites, and crepes to enjoy after you have walked the promenade along the sea front.  Don’t miss the spectacular coastal walk; it’s where the chalk cliffs rising up from the English Channel create the magnificent image of the Alabaster Coast.  There is a pebble beach that can be explored best at low tide.

The impressiveness of the location has long been recognised – Monet, Maupassant and Flaubert were all enthusiasts of the region around the town, and Monet painted several well known pictures of the coast and cliffs around Étretat. 

Both the cliffs and village are the scenic highlight of the region and not to be missed if you are visiting this part of Normandy.

See more photos on Facebbook.

We took a day trip to Bruges Belgium from Fleet, Hampshire on a Saturday in June, 2011.  Our coach pick up time was at 5:30am, after an hour of other pickups we were on the road, next stop Folkestone, Kent where we boarded the Eurotunnel.  We were on the 9:40 am train to Calais, France.  Arrived in Bruges at Noon and were dropped off near the Minnewater Park.  It was pouring down rain as we set out but it only lasted a short 20 minutes.  We loosely followed a walking tour that I found from the Bruges Official website.  We walked along the cobblestone streets with interesting little shops and cafes.  Our first stop was at the Church of Our Lady, the highlight here is the white marble Madonna with Child by Michelangelo.  Another highlight of our day was climbing the Belfort in the Markt Square.  The Belfry tower is 83 metres high and has an impressive clock mechanism and a carillon with 47 bells. After 366 steps, we were treated to a breath-taking view of Bruges and its surrounding countryside.  Our day wouldn’t have been complete without sampling a Belgium waffle (no shortage of places to find them!).  We selected a vendor who had a long line (always a good sign!).  We managed to complete the 5 km walk and return to our pick up spot at 5:00 pm.  It was a whirlwind visit but we were glad we took the time to visit this beautiful city.  A must see if you happen to have the chance, well worth the visit.

To see more photos of our day, visit us on Facebook.