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Churches on Île de la Cité

There are two islands in the Seine at Paris: Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis. Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, are on Île de la Cité. Île Saint-Louis is very picturesque and there's some very good, intensely-flavored, ice cream at Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis.

Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame at Night, Black & White

OK, here it is: the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris.  In black and white because they didn't have color photos back in the day.

Notre Dame at Night, Color

Ah, a color photo of Notre Dame.


Seine at Night

Looking down river at the Île de Cité and, of course, at Notre Dame. The bridge is Pont de Sully. See, the Irish are everywhere! (A joke.)

Zoom toward Notre Dame over Pont de Sully

A zoomed in shot of Pont de Sully and Notre Dame at night from the same perspective.


Black and White Night rear of Notre Dame

The front of the church is the famous elevation, but the back and sides are interesting. At night, the rear with all its buttresses is a bit creepy.

3/4 view of Notre Dame from across the Seine

A three-quarter view of Notre Dame at night from the left bank of the Seine.


Nave of Notre Dame

Inside, Notre Dame has the usual main spaces (nave, apse, transepts) and a bunch of side chapels. It is also fairly dark. I've brightened these interior images. This is a view of the nave from the crossing.

Two side chapels in Notre Dame

A view of two chapels at the eastern end of the cathedral.

South transept window and windows above the apse

Looking up from the crossing toward the south transept's rose window and the windows lining the southern side of the apse.

View from ambulatory up into apse

A view from the an ambulatory along the apse toward the windows over the south side of the apse.


Sainte-Chapelle

Interior Sainte-Chapelle

Notre Dame is a solid Gothic cathedral and serves a broad congregation. Its neighbor, Sainte-Chapelle is a Gothic jewel and was the king's own chapel. King Louis IX (Saint Louis) had it built to house items such as a piece of the true cross, the crown of thorns, and other relics.

Sainte-Chapelle

Saint-Chapelle is fairly narrow, but it is tall and feels like is has stained-glass walls.


Sainte Chapelle Window

My photos can't really do justice to this building. But here's a view of one stained glass window.

Exterior of Sainte-Chapelle

The outside of Sainte Chapelle is not amazing like the inside. Still, this view of the east end shows how the stained glass dominates and we can see a bunch of gargoyles (definitely required by law).


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