Remember
how I wrote in an earlier post about the
'meticulous detail' that went into recreating Notre Dame and how I'd
'totally going to get my drama on singing Hellfire'
if
I got the chance?
Well
guess who totally got that chance? 8D
I'm
going to break Paris down into three separate posts, otherwise it'd
end up ridiculously long, and I'd rather remember it for three
varieties of awesome than one majestic blur.
So
this is dedicated to Notre Dayuuum!
Before
I begin, I am fully aware that I should appreciate this marvel of
architecture for being around some 700 years and surviving wars and
revolutions alike, but no. Let's face it, I'm going to write about
Disney. Not even Victor Hugo's original work, just Disney. Stop
calling me a philistine back there! I have a degree in English
Language and Literature, I'll have you know.
After
walking for miles (who knew Paris could be seen in pretty much a
straight line?) past numerous other touristy attractions, we reached
the Seine byway of the Louvre.
Pretty sure Ratatouille had a scene around here.
Aw yeah. Two Disneys for the price of one.
After
a short stroll by the Seine, and tasting the morning, we spotted our
destination!
Notre
Dayumm isn't as big as I thought it'd be. It's mighty impressive, but
I guess the Disney film makes it look massive. My guess is, it was
larger by comparison back in the 14th century when the
other buildings were a lot smaller... Maybe I'm just spoilt with
Liverpool's monolithic Anglican cathedral. Either way, it's still
amazing.
They
had a guy running around dressed as Quasimodo in the courtyard, which
was quite fun. I didn't manage to get a photograph though, we were
queuing to get in and I guess we didn't want to lose our spaces.
You
never can run from nor can hide what you've done from the eyes... the
very eyes of Notre Dame...
Unfortunately,
the photographs taken inside are quite blurry as we couldn't use
flash. It's exquisite inside, and it was lovely to see that they
still hold mass there despite it being occupied by tourists a lot of
the time.
I
want to write about SANCTUARYYYYY and Phoebus and Esmerelda duking it
out here, but to be honest.... Notre Dame caught me a bit off guard.
I'm not religious in the slightest, but cathedrals always get me
thinking. My friend and I had a bit of an unexpected moment, and lit a candle for
two because we didn't have enough change to buy more than one :I So
yeah! How about that, I got emotional.
Back
to the good stuff.~ We strolled further through, they have a piece of
the True Cross there, and the crown of thorns! Christianity is
hardcore.
I thought we all were children of God
I did actually get a little choked up here. It's sublime, look at it.
Seriously, how much work has gone into this? How much love and
restoration over the years? It's absolutely breathtaking in real
life. I'm so so happy this photo turned out decent.
And
now... Out There! Outside, I mean. Of course.
What
really impresses me is the whole geometry of Notre Dame. Nowadays we
have endless computerized calculations to help devise building and
accurate planning... Back in the 1300s someone has just built this.
It's crazy! It's perfect and amazing, and to be honest, I still can't
quite get my head around it.
If you look carefully, you can see the green-ish copper statues of the saints where Quasi sings like ordinary men~, and the spire he climbs during the most beautiful part of Out There.
Taste a morning! Seriously though, doesn't this give you a scenery boner? Paris was scenery porn everywhere. Everywhere.
Disney
really go all out with their attention to detail. I pretty much felt
I knew Notre Dame inside out purely from the film.
Ermahgerd!
The
most awesome finish? Afterwards we got crepes down a side street and
the bells rang out as we were eating. What a resonant, sonorous
sound! We stopped in awe, it was amazing. (It must have been
impressive if it stopped me eating.) I got goosebumps! Fun fact, the bells ring so
thunderous they actually damaged the foundations of Notre Dame
herself in the past! It's amazing to think that you can probably hear
them all over Paris.
Although
it's fun for film buffs, I can't help but feel I'd have got more out
of this trip if I was more religious. Even if you're not religious,
or (perish the thought) not a Disney fanatic, I'd highly recommend
Notre Dame on the top of your Parisian perusals purely for the sheer
architectural delight it holds. It's stunningly crafted, lovingly
tended to, and geometrically fascinating. If you're fortunate enough
to hear those bells ring, it's all the more special.
