Notre Dame De Paris
Things to Do in Paris
When fire hit this venerable cathedral in April of 2019, thousands quickly donated to its restoration. Thousands more criticized people for sending money to a church and openly suggested the parishioners (and insurance companies) pay for the repairs. The latter group had not done their research. Notre Dame de Paris is not owned by any governing church body, but by the Republic of France, and it is not a religious shrine, but a marker of art, architecture, history and culture. It belongs to every human being on the planet.
Taking more than 100 years to build, this 12th century Gothic building speaks not just to the chosen worship of the day, but to the history of western culture itself. It was viewed then as the heartbeat of Paris, so more than just a place to listen to masses and pray, but a community setting, a peaceful and serene place of gathering and individual reflection. It is, in and of itself, a work of art, resplendent with towers, a soaring spire, staggeringly beautiful stained glass, statuary and art treasures that mark the evolution of mankind. Priceless.
It will take time to restore the parts of Notre Dame that were destroyed in the fire (so, before you plan to visit, check the website for the cathedral and see where things stand in terms of public access), but like we humans, Notre Dame de Paris will prevail.
Things to Do in Paris
Disneyland Paris
What is different about Disneyland Paris? It’s in French! Disneyland is more than just an attraction in any location where it exists. The one...
Eiffel Tower
A true icon of Paris, the Eiffel Tower almost got torn down soon after it was built. The Parisians hated the ugly structure, made of...
Notre Dame De Paris
When fire hit this venerable cathedral in April of 2019, thousands quickly donated to its restoration. Thousands more criticized people for sending money to a church...
The Louvre
You don’t have to be an art aficionado to love The Louvre. The building itself, a former (centuries old, from Medieval times) palace, could...
Arc De Triomphe
Erected in a time when male ego was top of mind, L’Arch de Triomphe (arch of triumph, or victory) was built as an extension...
Musee Dorsay
For every classic work of art at The Louvre (just across the nearby bridge), the Musée Dorsay has one from the world’s greatest...
Catacombs Of Paris
Possibly the best-known catacombs in the world (there are seven major ones), the Catacombs of Paris are not the oldest nor the largest. Whereas the...
Grand Palais
Still looking much as it did during the Universal Expo (aka World’s Fair) of 1900, the Grand Palais is still in use as a large...
Montmartre
On the right bank of the River Seine, in the north section of the city of Paris is the popular tourist area of Montmartre. Think...
Sacre Coeur Paris
This Catholic basilica sits at the apex of the Montmartre knoll area in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, north of downtown on the right bank...
Things to Do in Paris
What more can be written about Paris that has not already been scribed, spoken or filmed? It’s one of the foremost cities of the...
Destinations to Discover
Canadas Most Scenic National Parks
From sea (Pacific) to sea (Atlantic) to sea (Arctic), every province and territory in Canada boasts designated national parks for visitors from around the world...
Things to Do in Aruba
Part of the Netherlands Antilles group of Caribbean islands — the “A” in the “ABC” (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) — Aruba is surprisingly affordable. It lacks the...
Things to Do in New York City
New York City is an expensive place to live (it boasts the highest number of resident billionaires of all the cities on earth), with the...
Things to Do in Athens
Athens, Greece, has been the city of cultural imagination and classical history for over three millennia. The largest city in Greece, Athens, the namesake of...
Most Amazing Festivals in the World
We humans work hard and when we play, we celebrate. The array and variety of amazing world festivals is an example of how lavishly we...
Incredible Must See Sacred Places
Where is your sacred place? What is a sacred place to you? For those of us living in modern times, a sacred place might literally...
Amazing U.S. National Parks
The United Sates of America is vast, and not only contiguous; it has offshore islands and territories in faraway locales. Its large northern peninsula, the...
Things to Do in Paris
What more can be written about Paris that has not already been scribed, spoken or filmed? It’s one of the foremost cities of the...
Things to Do in London
London, England. The words still evoke an era, probably the 1960s and 19670s of mods and rockers, Carnaby Street, youth culture, Princess Margaret, the Beatles...
Things to Do in Venice
In the global battle for most romantic city in the world, the Venice versus Paris finals often switch winners, but here at Affordable Travel, we...