Notre Dame, Paris

Notre Dame, Paris, originally uploaded by Rita Crane Photography.

Une balade le long des quais sur la rive gauche, un jour tout gris, brumeux, et une des plus belles cathedrales de France. Il y a des visiteurs que l'on peut voir, l'un desquels fait un geste vers la facade de la cathedrale. Ceux-ci nous donnent une bonne idee de la grandeur de cet edifice extraordinaire.

The beauty of Notre Dame in Paris shines through even on this wintry day with its overcast soft sky. I was walking along the banks of the Seine and there she was, all her fine ancient details still with us after all these years! Notre Dame was built on the site of other churches and temples.

1160. Bishop Maurice de Sully (named Bishop of Paris), orders the original cathedral to be demolished.
1163. Cornerstone laid for Notre Dame de Paris - construction begins
1182. Apse and choir completed.
1196. Nave completed. Bishop de Sully dies.
1200. Work begins on Western Façade.
1225. Western Façade completed.
1250. Western Towers and North Rose Window completed
1250–1345. Remaining elements completed