0

Photographing Paris: Notre Dame

It was a great cave in the midst of a city; and what were the altars and the tinsel but the sparkling stalactites, into which you entered in a moment, and where the still atmosphere and the sombre light disposed to serious and profitable thought?
– Henry David Thoreau on visiting Notre Dame 

IMG_4576

A great cave is definitely one way to describe this hulk of a structure that stands at the edge of a square on the Île de la Cité.

IMG_4548

Notre Dame is certainly cavernous.

IMG_4542

The silence hits you first when you walk in – a heavy and eerie stillness.

IMG_4550

Everyone seems to be tiptoeing through, interrupted here and there by teenage giggles and screaming babies.

IMG_4564

Until the organ starts playing and fills up the empty air with chords.

IMG_4570

And then it’s the dim lighting that you notice as your eyes adjust to the hundreds of glowing candles flickering their prayers up to the ceiling.

IMG_4578

The ceiling is definitely somewhere you want to look, with all of its dark gothic detail.

IMG_4595

But there’s also plenty of other crevices to explore.

IMG_4552

There are random alters.

IMG_4558

There are statues and sculptures.

IMG_4561

There are big, bright and colourful stained glass windows.

IMG_4587_2

It’s also an excellent place to people watch – the mixture of worshipers there to pray and meditate, those who are genuinely interested in the architecture and history of the cathedral and the people who are there because Lonely Planet told them they shouldn’t miss it if they’re going to Paris.

IMG_4540

Next time I’m definitely bringing a tripod because taking photos in this light without one was not easy!

You Might Also Like

No Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.