One afternoon after leaving our hotel and walking for about five minutes, we stopped into the local Starbucks, which felt odd, being so American in atmosphere, yet filled with Parisians.
Luckily everyone we met spoke a little English, and with our limited French, we got along just fine. Enjoying our caffe lattes, we decided to head over to the Pont Neuf Bridge and cross to the Ile de la Cite and visit Notre Dame Cathedral.
We had the most perfect weather, bright sunshine and just a little on the cool side. So off we headed to the metro, and on our way...
We had the most perfect weather, bright sunshine and just a little on the cool side. So off we headed to the metro, and on our way...
Just before crossing over the bridge we stopped along the quays, to look at the bookstalls, as I imagine Hemingway and other writers have done decades before now. With so much to look at, including art work, you could easily spend several hours just browsing, but we continued along...
The island is connected by bridges on both banks of the river, and the Pont Neuf is the oldest one, which leads you into the western portion of the island.
The island is connected by bridges on both banks of the river, and the Pont Neuf is the oldest one, which leads you into the western portion of the island.
In 1163 the Cathedral was built on the original site of a preceding church that was dedicated to Saint Etienne.
The architecture is Gothic, with amazing flying buttresses on the outside, and awe inspiring height inside, with stained glass windows and religious artwork.
It is on land that forms the oldest part of the city, and is the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris.
It truly is an amazing architectural structure and absolutely magnificent at night when sailing down the Seine.
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