Notre Dame

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I’ve visited dozens of European cathedrals. Here are my two favorites.

The Cathedral from the Plaza

The Cathedral from the Plaza

I’ve written before about European cathedrals and how awe inspiring they are. We generally make it a point to visit the cathedral in every town we visit. While all grand European cathedrals have certain common elements – such as 100 foot high ceilings, cool statuettes and gargoyles, ornate doorways, and enormous pipe organs – each also has its own unique “personality”. For some, its distinctiveness is revealed in the structure’s exterior, for others, in its interior. Therefore, I am compelled to select two favorites. My choices are: For best exterior… the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Strasbourg, France. (Honorable mention: the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Clermont, France because it’s made of black basalt.) And for best interior… the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière in Lyon, France. (Honorable mention: Saint Peters’ Basilica at Vatican City because its really really huge.) Continue reading →

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Paris is incredible. (But there are a couple minor things that take some getting used to.)

I have recently written about how much I loved visiting Paris and all the really cool things there are to do and see in the City of Lights. (Quick aside: How did it come to be known as the “City of Lights?” In 1828, Paris began lighting the Champs-Elysées with gas lamps, becoming the first European city to do so, earning the nickname “La Ville-Lumière” or The City of Light.) Here’s a quick refresher of just some of what we found to be among the highlights of our visit to Paris. Continue reading →