Most people did see the terrible fire that raged here on April 15, 2019. Fortunately, the 850-year-old cathedral – the foundation stone was laid in 1163 – was largely spared and only the roof and the spire went up in flames. Napoleon was crowned emperor here, Quasimodo rang the bells. For the time being, the interior is unfortunately inaccessible, but a visit to the outside remains worthwhile thanks to the proliferation of statues of angels, saints and monsters …
Monuments
Arc de triomphe
At first Napoleon wanted a gigantic stone elephant on this spot but he finally opted for a triumphal arch in Roman style. Unfortunately he never saw the result, he died fifteen years before it was completed in 1836. Majestically situated at the end of the Champs-Elysees, on a rather chaotic roundabout, it’s one of the finest monuments – including the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb and the view of the city while standing on top of the Arch.
Sainte Chapelle
A traduire en Anglais : Hier vind je misschien wel de mooiste glas-in-loodramen ter wereld. Gebouwd in recordtempo (tussen 1242 en 1248) door de Heilige Koning Lodewijk IX, deed het tegelijkertijd dienst als reliekkast voor de doornenkroon van Christus – overgekocht van de Byzantijnse keizer – en privékapel voor de koning zelf, rechtstreeks verbonden met zijn paleis via een gang. Tijdgenoten hadden het gevoel het Hemelse Jeruzalem binnen te stappen en het is nog altijd een overdonderende ervaring…
Tour Eiffel
When it was built in 1889 by the engineer Gustave Eiffel as the tallest tower in the world, local residents feared it would fall … Many architects and artists thought it was so ugly that they signed a petition calling for it to be demolished. Fortunately, they did not get their way, because the iron tower became one of the most famous monuments ever and the symbol of the city of Paris. The view is spectacular.
Opéra Garnier
Paris was the capital of the world in the 19th century and the Opera the place to be seen. This marvellous building, covered with marble and gold, was built by the young, unknown architect Charles Garnier, commissioned by Napoleon III, and still serves as an Opera and Ballet today. Admire the monumental staircase, climbed by ladies in their fanciest gowns and jewels, the gigantic foyer and the fairy-tale like stage with the ceiling painting by Chagall…