Wednesday, May 20 Paris

We got on an EuroStar high speed bullet train, went under the English Channel, and arrived in Paris 2 hours and 15 minutes later. Out first stop was Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris. The construction of the cathedral took nearly 200 years to complete. Seeing the delicate carvings and statues, I can easily understand. The interior of the cathedral was just as magnificent. None of the pictures I took inside came out clear; it was too dark, and flash lights were prohibited. While we were walking around inside, someone broke out in a beautiful song about the Virgin Mary, who is very much revered in the Catholic Church. I was tempted to break out in "Victory in Jesus", if only I had more confidence in the lyrics of the hymn.

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris... looks deceivingly small from here!

10th century architecture used flying buttresses to sustain the height of the building (probably at least 5 stories tall).

Ornate entry way into the sanctuary

Statues of saints and/or apostles guard the entrance to the cathedral.


Many of the buildings in Paris, such as government buildings and museums, were adorned with gold-plated sculptures and statues. This appeared atop the Opera Galeries Lafayette, a music hall.

Full view of the "Opera house"

Midway between the Arc de Triomphe and Musee du Louvre was the Place de le Concorde. Within the large plaza sat two very extravagant fountains and this tall Egyptian Oblisque.

Avenue des Champs Elysees leads up to the Arc de Triomphe.

Arc de Triomphe