Notre Dame

As we prepared for the trip there were two highlights Siena simply couldn’t stop talking about.  One was the Eiffel Tower and we had already been there and could watch it nightly from our apartment.   The other was “Noter Dime” as Siena would call it.  We had passed the cathedral a few times on our visit, but today was the day where we would visit the cathedral and home of Quasimodo and the story of the Hunchback.

It was another snowy day as we headed off to see the sights.  Our plan was to visit Notre Dame and possibly St. Chappelle.   As we got off the bus to head for the cathedral an all too familiar opportunity presented itself to us.  In front of the Hotel De Ville sat a carousel and a temporary outdoor ice skating rink for winter.  No, we didn’t go skating.

Carousel at the Hotel De Ville

 After getting our carousel fix, we headed across the river to Notre Dame.  The cathedral is celebrating its 850^th anniversary this year.  That means new bells lot of renovations and big crowds.  With the 850^th anniversary stamps and post cards just going on sale, the traffic inside was daunting.  Once inside we toured the cathedral, explaining to Siena who Joan of Arc was (kid friendly version, no stakes or fire), enjoying the beautiful statues, lighting candles in memory of Grandpa Doug and admiring the amazing items in the Treasury.   Here again we were pleased to find the Christmas season still in full swing and another lovely nativity to enjoy.   

With Joan of Arc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were prepared to climb the bell tower and look for Quasimodo and to visit the gargoyles, but once again the snow and ice got the best of things and the tower was closed.  With a tired little bear on our hands and the crowds mounting, we settled into the back of the church for a minute while mommy bought Siena a special wooden angel to remember her visit by.  But when mommy returned we had a napper on our hands and settled in for a while so Siena could recharge.  Once she woke up we finished our visit and headed outside to take in the amazing façade and gargoyles of Notre Dame.  Still cold we headed for warmth of an early dinner across the river; St. Chappelle and its beautiful stained glass windows would wait for our next visit.

With the snow falling and the city succumbing to another night beneath a beautiful white blanket we headed off to the Eiffel Tower in hopes of seeing the hourly light show from up close.  As we approached the tower its nightly golden glow surrounded us as it reflected of the snow and ice.  As we approached the Tower along the river, Siena encountered a snow ball that was bigger than her.  This would have made for an amazing base for any proud snowman, but here it was just an orb on the path.  We pushed it a little to do our part to adding in its creation. 



At the Trocadero

 

 

At the Tower we once again found that there was no one around and we could enjoy our view without a crowd.  Alas, as fate would have it this was not a coincidence as the Eiffel Tower was still frozen and still closed.  So we headed across to the Trocadero, rode the carousel on opposite side of the river and then watched the Tower’s glistening show from across the river.  With a full day behind us we headed home to get a good night’s rest.