Paris 2002 Page 4

Our anniversary trip to Paris continued yet again!

After leaving Versailles we stopped at a cafe across from the train station to have yummy mint chocolate sundaes.  That night we went to see Star Wars Episode II: L'attaque des clones (in English) as it had just opened and Dave was desperate to see it.  The cinema was packed so we had to sit right up in front, but it was ok.  I think that was the high point of the trip for Dave (just kidding sweetie!)  Afterwards we went for pizza and then called it a night.

Sunday morning we went to Mass at Notre Dame, which was lovely despite the occasional bizarre organ music.  Hearing the choir sing Veni Sancti Spiritus a cappella, echoing through the nave, was incredibly moving, even if it is a bit disconcerting to have people ogling and taking pictures while you're at church.  Afterwards we lit a candle (since it was our actual anniversary!) and walked around to take some pictures.  This is one of the fabulous rose windows.

The beautiful West facade and main entrance of Notre Dame de Paris, right in the heart of the city.  Isn't it lovely?

A close-up of the main rose window from the outside and the statue of Mary and Jesus in front of it.  Zoom lenses rock!

A close-up of some of the statues surrounding the door at Notre Dame.  Dave requested this shot as he liked St. Denis holding his head.  Legend has it that St. Denis, one of the patron saints of Paris, survived for 3 days after he was beheaded, and wandered around carrying his severed head to the dismay of those who executed him (possibly the Romans, I can't remember).  If I am not mistaken he was also able to pass through walls during that time, and another church in France has a sculpture of good old Denis which appears to be coming out of the church wall.

The East end (apse) of Notre Dame.  Don't you just love flying buttresses??  Ok it's just me then.

From Notre Dame we headed a few streets over to Sainte-Chapelle (which will feature prominently on the next page.)  On the way, we passed one of the "Bouches de Metro" (subway entrances) designed by Art Nouveau artist Hector Guimard in 1900.  Now I could go on for hours and hours about Guimard and his work and how much I love it, but I'll spare you all. :)  Anway, I insisted Dave take a picture of me by it.  This one is right by the city flower market, which you can see on the right.

The South facade, featuring another lovely rose window and more flying buttresses, yay!