As of this post, it’s been almost five years (can you imagine that) since Notre Dame caught fire, destroying much of that most recognised edifice. We still shudder when we see videos of the church ablaze. No matter how many times we visit Paris (quite a lot) we always take time to bask in the Lady’s wonder.
So, it was with much joy when we saw this week that she is back and is waiting to see you again. To refresh your memory, On 15 April 2019, just before 18:20 CEST, a structural fire broke out in the roof space of Notre-Dame de Paris, a medieval Catholic cathedral in Paris, France. By the time the fire was extinguished, the cathedral’s wooden spire (flèche) had collapsed, most of the wooden roof had been destroyed, and the cathedral’s upper walls were severely damaged.
Extensive damage to the interior was prevented by the vaulted stone ceiling, which largely contained the burning roof as it collapsed. Many works of art and religious relics were moved to safety, but others suffered smoke damage, and some of the exterior art was damaged or destroyed. The cathedral’s altar, two pipe organs, and three 13th-century rose windows suffered little or no damage. Three emergency workers were injured. The fire contaminated the site and nearby areas of Paris with toxic dust and lead.[5] Notre-Dame did not hold a Christmas Mass in 2019, for the first time since 1803.[6] Investigators in 2020 believed the fire to have been “started by either a cigarette or a short circuit in the electrical system. (Read more content here wikipedia,org.)
May we suggest our favourite stay in Paris? Hotel du Champ de Mars is a delight. Located in Paris, Hotel du Champ de Mars is 900 metres from the Eiffel Tower and 700 metres from Les Invalides. It offers free WiFi access, a 24-hour frond desk and individually decorated guest rooms. Click here to book.
How about Private tour in a vintage car with a local. (The car, a Citroёn 2CV may differ than pictured.) Experience Paris on board of a classic Citroёn 2cv French car accompanied by a knowledgeable and entertaining Parisian driver. This is the great way to (re)discover Paris passing by the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées Avenue, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Montmartre. Ask your driver to take you in unexpected places such as Belleville, the Saint-Martin Canal, Père-Lachaise, the Latin district, Le Marais or La Butte-aux-Cailles! Click here to book.
Do as the Europeans do; take the train! RailEurope can get you there and back. Click here to book.