Memories of Notre Dame in Paris…

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of France’s most enduring icons: symbolizing Catholicism, Gothic architecture, & centuries of French history.  In many ways, it’s the cultural heart of France.  On a more personal note, it’s one of my own most enduring travel memories, as I’m sure it is for many ~ it was the first moment of sheer awe I felt abroad.  It was late at night, & my friend & I had just eaten in the Latin Quarter.  This was 20 years ago…so we had no maps, no phones, & we turned a corner & B-A-M!!  There was Notre Dame, lit spectacularly & soaring so high above, with architecture like we’d never seen before….it was a spectacular moment.  To pay homage, this post is a collection of photographic memories of Notre Dame, as captured by fellow travelers from around the world.

Notre Dame Cathedral burning on April 15th, 2019. Photo by ag_photographe

Memories of Notre Dame in Paris…

Because I visited Notre Dame so many years ago, I have no surviving photos from that trip (or if I do, they’re buried somewhere in a storage unit).  On my last international trip, this past fall, Notre Dame was ironically the last thing I saw before hopping on a plane back to America.  It was a cloudy, December day, & I took maybe two photos of it, because I simply wanted to enjoy the moment instead of trying to get the “perfect” photo. 

Since news of the fire broke on Monday, I’ve scoured Instagram to find some of the best photos of Notre Dame from photographers & travelers around the world; my personal favorite is @georgesarmando ~ his photography of Paris is incredible.  All respective photographers (if known) are credited in the images below.

Notre Dame was built in 1163.  Many significant, historic events have occurred there, such as the coronation of Napoleon in 1804, & the Magnificat for Paris liberation in 1944. Photo by Unknown.

I find the work of @georgesarmando absolutely CAPTIVATING ~ his shots of Paris are stunning..like this one, taken at Notre Dame.

Paris (& Notre Dame) in springtime…Photo by @miajeana

Memories of Notre Dame in Paris…

Sunset over Paris, & the infamous Notre Dame gargoyles….Photo by @peterlaster

Photo by @splendid.photography_

Candles lit inside the cathedral. Photo by @danieledandreti

Memories of Notre Dame in Paris…

When I posted this shot from @georgesarmando to my Instagram account the other day, it quickly became the most “liked” photo I’ve ever posted, receiving more than 2,000 likes in 24 hours. Clearly, it’s a testament to both his photography skills & people’s love for this iconic building.

This incredible shot of such a tragic event was taken by @katie.one ~ whose Instagram account reads like a love letter to Paris. Follow her for MAJOR French travel inspiration…

Notre Dame interior. Photo by Unknown.

Memories of Notre Dame in Paris…

Beauty. Photo by @pariscityvision

Among a city filled with iconic architecture & beautiful monuments, Notre Dame still stands out. Photo by @rickpsd

Photo by @ag_photographe

Memories of Notre Dame in Paris…