After I returned home from mailing our check to the IRS, I checked in on the blog, only to read Regula’s comment that Notre Dame was on fire. I googled to find out what was happening and the still shots I saw filled me with dread. So, like so many, I turned on the television and remained glued to the screen for several hours.
Heartbreaking. I have no other words.
But I am heartened that the main structure was saved.
We visited Notre Dame last October during our trip to Paris. I am so grateful that we got to see it intact. Who would have dreamed that only 6 months later the roof and the spire would be consumed by fire? Beyond belief.
I’m going to stop now and share some pictures I took of Notre Dame.
She will rise again.
That’s it for today.
Happy Tuesday.
“She will rise again.” So true. I think of St. Paul’s and Coventry Cathedral rising again. I’m also thankful that so many treasures were saved.
I am, too.
I cried all day. I thought about it, “Why?” Because she is a symbol of man’s creativity, goodness, beauty…of what we can do, together. She stood so long, amongst the evil in the world (French Revolution, WW II and Hitler). She isn’t just a building: she embodies our souls. Vive la belle dame!
She is much more than a building. She is part of our collective consciousness, our history.
Heartbreaking.
Absolutely.
I read your blog daily and enjoy it very much but I rarely comment. However with the Notre Dame fire and the tax debacle I had to vent a little. First taxes… we made $20k less this year and owed $3K. First time we’ve owed in probably 25 years. We also lost most of our deductions since we always itemize. My hubby owns his business and he couldn’t deduct a huge chunk of money that we usually do. Last year we made $20k and got $8K back. To say I’m angry is an understatement. I can’t wait until that vile orange man gets out of the White House. As for the fire, I’m so very heartbroken. I’m upset for the people of France and the fact that we’ve all lost a historical and architectural treasure, but since I’m Catholic this loss has been even more painful as it is a place of worship for us and it contained so many of our religion’s most important relics during the holiest of weeks. Thankfully they were able to save the crown of thrones and the piece of the true cross. Yesterday was a particularly awful day between taxes and Notre Dame burning.
Meant to say last year we made $20k more… not just $20k… yup we got screwed by the vile orange man.
xo
We lost many of our deductions as well. And that’s what made the difference. We have never – in all our years together – owed anything close to what we owe this year. I’m sorry to hear of your situation. I’m hearing much the same from many people. Thanks for commenting, Jackie.
Thank you so much for posting these extraordinary photos. So stunning and beautiful, and I am so glad to see it as it stood, and for those of us that never got to see it. Thank you so much for sharing, and also for your blog always.
If you have time, do you mind telling us again, the model of your camera– I remember you said it was a Canon? As an artist, I would love to have such detail.
Thank you,
Alice
These photos were taken by my iPhone 7+, Alice. Even though I took my Canon to Paris, it was too heavy to carry around so I used my iPhone.
My Canon is a 77D.
I’m not going to comment on taxes, because I am afraid I would never stop. I have much to say. Most left inside my head.
The fire is devastating. I could only watch on the computer, but my heart broke with each new frame. When they headline said people were gathering in the street and were crying I could truly understand why. The world lost yesterday. It’s majesty will come back.
Thank you for the photos, Claudia. Priceless memories for you.
The sentence should read Most best left inside my head.
xo
They were crying and singing hymns. Heartbreaking. Thank you, Trudy.
Every time I’d see the crowds huddled with long faces, kneeling, praying, singing the hymns, I’d totally break down awash with more fresh tears. It was a unity we don’t see much more, like anywhere, and it’s just sad to think it has to take a disaster for it to happen (the best part of humanity when it’s clear despite differences we are essentially the same; humans, beautiful humans) but, as heartbreaking as it was, how could the display of grief and sadness not cut right to your soul? Just makes you wish you could thrust your arms through the TV screen and hold them, saying we feel for you, we’re so sorry, have hope, the grand lady survived, she’s gonna be okay. I have a little bit of French ancestry (my great-grandmother) and maybe it sounds strange (I don’t mean it smugly) but, yesterday and today, the people of Paris made me feel proud; their emotion was so real. So appropriate.
I feel the same way. When they sang hymns, gathering together throughout Paris, I was so moved.
My head and heart are still spinning from this as I listen to continuing reports on BBC radio. Your photos are absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing them.
You’re most welcome.
You had a beautiful day to take pictures and tour Notre Dame. I’ve never seen it in person, but as with all great cathedrals, it is a monumental loss. Not only for architectural reasons, but for historical as well. My hope is that they can and will rebuild as close to original as possible. Thanks for the pics!
Enjoy your day! ;)
It’s a spectacular cathedral, Donnamae. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Such stunning photos – thank you for sharing them. The fire was devastating, as so many things are during these times we are living in. But she will rise again and so will America. Peace.
Peace, Karen.
thanks for sharing those beautiful photos. glad you and don were able to see notre dame before the fire!
i hope that somewhere safe outside of notre dame are architectural plans and external/internal photographs to help with the rebuilding.
i am heartened that some artworks were saved and by the massive donations pledged so far to help with the rebuilding.
to my knowledge, they haven’t determined what caused the fire, but i pray for the crew that was working on the renovation of notre dame in the last few days. i imagine the burden they likely feel would be awful. may they have peace.
notre dame will rise again. so may we all.
kathy in iowa
ps: i pray for the rest of the world, too.
kathy in iowa
Me too.
I thought of them, as well. I would never want them to carry a burden of guilt. If it was due to the renovation, there is always a risk involved with any major renovation. Thanks, Kathy.
kathy, my husband saw or read something from the BBC that spoke of all the documentation they have somewhere on the cathedral from which to work for the rebuild, like all kinds of photography and some kind of 3-D ‘laser scans’ (laser mapping) done by historians; I’m not describing it properly but the encouraging thing was that they have stuff they can use (they must have anticipated something like this over time, the reminder that nothing is permanent, although it SEEMED permanent because the cathedral has stood for so many centuries; I came away with the idea from this BBC info that they don’t exactly have to reinvent the wheel – – surely they wouldn’t have too much written down, I’d think, from the 12th century [the Middle Ages!] but, as time went down, apparently something was recorded for posterity on when and how the structure evolved at certain points in time, probably also to know so they could maintain it as it kept aging, so I’m hoping to read and find out a lot more about this as the days go on – – it makes sense with computers and modern times that somebody got this sort of thing archived from which they can draw info; the roof/’forest’ is gone but maybe now the new attic/supports will be stronger than ever with today’s modern technology – – my husband also found an article on Fox News online about this [I never look at anything about Fox, but I did just quick-read this article], that there was or is an actual video game put out by a company [Ubisoft] that ‘painstakingly’ recreated a valid digital representation of the cathedral which may even be helpful; apparently the detail is amazing; is being thrown around on social media as a real possibility; I’m sure any ‘tool’ could help, right…?…and it’s saying for this ‘game’ that it took years and many artists, ‘“We were able to find a lot of blueprints showing us exactly how Notre Dame was constructed…the game’s historian, books and internet research helped recreate the famous cathedral…it also really just helped to talk to people…is very difficult to take a big picture of Notre Dame and capture every single detail…you have to take a bunch of pictures of everything and put them all together like a puzzle….”‘ – – so, wow, it’s looking more positive, isn’t it; also, ‘”We have exquisite 3D laser maps of every detail of Notre Dame, thanks to the incredible work of Vassar art historian Andrew Tallon. Prof Tallon passed away last November, but his work will be absolutely crucial,” tweeted Hannah Groch-Begley, a doctoral student at Rutgers on Monday.’…
So sad. It is such a gorgeous church and in such a gorgeous landscape positioning. So glad I have seen it too.
So grateful. We really just made it in time.
Thank you for showing us your wonderful photos. Last night I noticed in news reports, images of the damage inside the cathedral and I thought how the gold cross on the altar is still in tact and shining amongst the ruins and there it is today in your photos!
So many people around the world have offered their services towards restoration of this world heritage site, it seems to be uniting everyone.
Just going back to taxes, I’m reminded of an unfair and unpopular tax that was imposed during Margaret Thatcher’s time in Government and was initially implemented in Scotland She had to back down eventually after people took to the streets and refused to pay it even with the threat of imprisonment. It was the ‘Can’t pay/ Won’t pay’ campaign.
I saw the gold cross, as well. A beacon of hope.
We should be marching here about taxes. Unfortunately, there are so many atrocities in this administration every day of the week, that narrowing a march down to one thing is next to impossible.
I followed the stories of the fire feeling incredulous. Watching such an icon burn hurt. I’m glad at least one of the Rose windows remained intact. Notre Dame is significant on so many fronts, culturally, religiously, architecturally, artistically. My late husband saw her in the mid-80’s, my daughter in the early 2000’s. I regret that my other daughter won’t ever see the original and probably won’t ever see what remains and what will be new without scaffolding around the building.
I am so thankful we saw her last year. So very thankful.
It was heartbreaking to watch. And, during Holy Week. So beyond belief. The amazing part is the world coming together to help. Your pictures are beautiful!!
Thank you. Yes, particularly poignant during Holy Week.
Thank you , that is amazing; thank you so much for the info; I admire your photos very much.
Thank you for your time!
You are very welcome, Alice.
Thank you for posting all your photos!
Your heart must be broken.
I love the last one ♥️!
It is. I can’t imagine how painful it is for the citizens of Paris and France.
I cried when I saw those pictures of Notre Dame burning. Thankfully the Cross and the Crown of Thorns were saved. It survived so much throughout the years and it will be rebuilt. Your photos are beautiful.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn.
Oh, your usual WONDERFUL photography; very uplifting to see these shots this evening. How beautiful; the weather was so nice, too. SO GLAD you went to Paris when you did!
I always love the photos I see (in books, mags, etc.) where one gets a glimpse of the water and that big ‘wall’ separating the site of the cathedral from the river – – the overused word “iconic” but the walls lining the Seine at the Left Bank et al are such a special locator; you see a photo with one of the bridges, that wall, the length of the river, the monuments and, ah, it’s Paris, so unique, never mistaken for anywhere else. (What do you call the walls anyway? I heard one former tour guide [did they say he did a op-ed for USA Today; don’t quote me on that], saying it’s great to have a picnic on the cay and gaze over at the cathedral, so what does he mean, the cay, like on top of the wall? I feel ignorant I don’t know what to call these things. I just can’t remember; it’s been too many years for me and I got shortchanged on Paris as it was the last stop on my budget tour, a lot was going on for Europe departure and return to the States; just not enough time to absorb, experience Paris to my big regret although I’m glad I saw what I saw and did what I did; but I just HAVE to go back; I know you’re feeling the same way from how you’ve spoken lovingly of Paris since your Fall trip.)
I feel exhausted; do you feel exhausted? Emotional upheaval, all this news coverage, watching the spire fall, worrying about the art and stained glass; was everybody okay; had been (and still are) so many unknowns as the day unfolded. I keep getting conflicting reports, like – – the organ is intact but water-damaged (or, it’s deeply affected); there’s damage to all the stained glass, yet the rose windows survived (initially, reports were they were blown out); but it’s so inspiring to see the rush (and bravery) to save what they could (the human chain, carrying out the artifacts) as well as the heroic firefighting. And I want to say to commentators, quit criticizing the billionaires for wanting to make it some kind of trophy rebuild (I guess they mean with their names on it as mega benefactors?); crap, if somebody wants to pledge a whole lot of money to rebuild the cathedral, take it! It’s going to TAKE a lot of money; they need every penny.
I feel like I know more than I ever did about Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s going to be very interesting to see how they collect artisans and craftspersons and architects (structural engineers, too) from all over the world to put her back together as much as possible to what she once was (has been a real education over the past two days, learning about all this stuff; thank goodness The Louvre is right there and they know exactly how to salvage and restore damaged/scorched/smoke-altered paintings). When I saw the cathedral (so young I was), a lot of the statues and antiquity were lost on me. I don’t remember ever hearing about ‘the forest’. It’s all quite mesmerizing. And she’s saved and will be stronger than ever for all the future generations. Feeling thankful!
Thanks again for posting your photos today.
Yes, I am exhausted. By this, by the administration, by so much heartbreak. But we have to have hope, and the glorious cathedral will be rebuilt. xo
Wow, such beautiful pictures. We went into Notre Dame only on our first trip, 8 years ago now.
My pictures then of the interior, along with my memories of it, are that it was rather dark inside. Yet your pictures are full of light. I do have some gorgeous pictures of the windows in that dark though. That first trip, with my husband spending most of every morning. It is so easy to take something that huge and that old for granted. At that point, I’d been through many cathedrals in England, but there is just something special about Our Lady. Hopefully now she will get the rebuilding and restoration she deserves.
Yes. My heart breaks for those who won’t have a chance to go inside and see that beauty. It will be a long while until that can happen.
Thank you for the gorgeous photos!! They are even more precious now. I had no idea this cathedral had so much wood structure. I’m grateful the rose windows are saved so far, and amazed at the enduring strength of the flying buttresses. Perhaps some gargoyles have survived. I was fascinated to hear that the timbers in the roof are irreplaceable as no one has trees that long any more. I’m happy it will be rebuilt, but a French friend reminds me of the feeling in the country that hundreds of millions appear overnight for this effort but no money comes for the hungry farmers. It is a dilemma. As I get older, everything seems more complicated. Bread and roses, right?
Oh my goodness, EVERTYTHING gets more complicated! I understand.
Thank you for the lovely pictures!
You’re welcome!