Day 6 - Historic Paris Tour

Today we completed a historic Paris tour compliments of one of the Paris guidebooks I bought Peggy. The tour kicks off a Point Zero, the birthplace of Paris on Ile de la Cite in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral. To start our day we walked from our apartment to Notre-Dame. We passed one of the main firehouses along the way (the trip wouldn't be complete without at least seeing a firehouse). We arrived at Notre-Dame just as I planned...we were walking along a street with the cathedral completely out of sight, we rounded the bend and there it was in all it's glory. Peggy's jaw hit the curb as she got to see it with her own eyes for the first time ever. It was fantastic!

We first queued for the Notre-Dame Tower Climb, 400 steps of history (complete with grooves worn into the granite from the tens of thousands who have climbed before us). The first staircase (pictured below) took us to the upper room of the north tower. The ceiling here is amazing (also pictured below). We took a short break here to learn a little history and browse the gift shop (because no historic attraction is complete without a gift shop). 

Then it was onward and upward to the Chimera gallery, approximately 2/3rds of the way to the top or 46 meters (that's almost 151 feet for those keeping track at home) from the entrance level. From this level we had a good view of the city. We were also able to access the South tower belfry and see "Emmanuel" and "Marie" the two largest bells of Notre-Dame. Emmanuel weighs 13 tons and Marie (installed in 2013) weighs 6.2 tons. These bells are only rung on major Catholic feast days. The remaining bell ringing is left to 8 smaller bells in the North tower.

After viewing the bells, and wooden bell tower framework, we continued our climb to reach the top of the South tower and boy was it worth it! The view of the surrounding city, all 360 glorious degrees was breathtaking...and not due to climbing 69 meters (226 feet, 397 steps)! Once we had taken in the view and some photos we started down the steps to the base of the South tower. We then went inside the Cathedral.

Our audio tour took us through part of the Latin Quarter, to the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, a few other historic sites and the often overlooked and very underrated Sainte-Chapelle (built in accordance with the wishes of Louis IX to house the relics of the Passion of Christ). Sainte-Chapelle is within the Palais de Justice. There are two sanctuaries here, the lower one was used by the palace staff while the upper (more ornate) sanctuary was reserved for the King and his close friends and family.

A few other stops along the way and we finished at Place Dauphine near Pont Neuf. We then moseyed back to Notre-Dame, purchased some cold beverages and sat by the river to relax and people watch. A short walk across Ile Saint Louis led us to the Metro which whisked us back to our apartment. We went out later in the evening for some pananis and sodas.

Tomorrow we visit Le Louvre and Musee D'Orsay along with some other highlights.

-Sean