Text and Pictures by Sylvie

We were very surprised we could visit Notre Dame. It was planned, but we were aware that probably it would be too crowded to visit. We went at 9am, and we only had to wait for 20 minutes. There were some security checks before we entered.
The cathedral is enormous. Looking at it from the outside, you cannot imagine it is so big inside. I have never seen such a beautiful church in France. It is a space charged with many emotions, when you think about what happened five years ago.
Notre Dame represents part of our history in France. Many people donated money after the fire. The donations covered the cost of repairing the damage. I am also proud that here in France we have so many professional and skilled people who remember the ancient crafts.


I have not visited the cathedral before the fire, but I have heard the difference is enormous. Everything is clean, detailed. And when you see how people managed to build such a building in earlier times, it deserves respect. The paintings are breathtaking, the murals also.

It was an emotional experience, being able to visit this cathedral only a few days after the reopening. There were many visitors, but all were silent and people respected that. Many people from other countries visited the building as well. You could light a candle, which we did.
The stain glassed windows: they are very impressive. It is difficult to imagine the amount of work required to restore the beauty of the cathedral. It shows that if people are dedicated to a cause, many things can be achieved.


I liked the fact that the walls were clear and clean, not like the majority of other churches.
Would I have waited in line to visit the church? Before the fire, no. But now, with the renovations complete, it is worth seeing.
