Celebrating the incredible restoration of Notre Dame
As we were planning our trip to London, Jim suggested we should also go to Paris. We have been there many times, but never in winter. Plus we could take the train through the Chunnel, another first. So we added five nights in Paris onto our London itinerary. How bad could that be?
It sure helps if the February temperatures are in the 40s and 50s most of the time. And the crowds are a bit thinner than usual. And unlike our stay in London, we had virtually no people to see or engagements planned. I did, however, do a fair amount of restaurant research in advance, cuz, you know, you never want even a mediocre dining experience in this incredible food city.
We also enjoyed a splurgy stay at the great classic hotel Ritz on the Place Vendôme. Cesar Ritz opened this palatial hotel in 1898 to provide lodging suitable for royalty. It was the first hotel ever to include such luxuries as bathrooms, electricity, and telephones in every room. An extensive renovation from 2012 to 2016 restored it to its original glory.
Of course the highlight of this visit was a chance to once again tour Notre Dame, which was miraculously reopened less than six years after the devastating fire. I was astounded by the breadth of the restoration. It seemed like every tiny corner of this vast cathedral glittered like new, thanks to the armies of craftsmen in every field.
The interior of Notre Dame seemed almost shockingly “white” and bright. You are just not used to seeing medieval cathedrals without a layer of smoky grime on the walls.
Miraculously, the stained glass sustained minimal damage, so they sparkle as much as ever
Every side chapel seemed restored to perfection
A view through some grillwork across the altar
Cocktails at Bar Vendome at the hotel Ritz
The Place Vendôme
Paris is beautiful even in winter
More winter beauty
Weather was pleasant enough for an outdoor cafe stop on th Place des Vosges
I spend a lot of time researching on line to find restaurants that we might love. When we arrived at Parcelles, I immediately recognized it as a place my research led us to three years earlier!
Crocuses in the Tuileries! Spring is coming!
And yet these people haven’t taken down their Christmas decorations yet
The Luxembourg Garden is not as glorious in the winter, but still pretty amazing
A gorgeous sunrise on the Seine
Heading to dinner in the wonderful 7th arrondissement you get lots of great Eiffel Tower views
We went to hear Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony at the church of Saint-Philippe-du-Roule. The setting was beautiful, and the music was impressive, despite some pretty terrible acoustics.
Fancy dead people at the Père Lachaise cemetery
A fun lunch at Tour d’Argent, a restaurant that claims to have opened in 1582
Irresistible temptations at breakfast at the Ritz
What a view from our room!
