Notre Dame Church (Eglise Notre Dame la Grande), Bordeaux

Advantages: Grand example of church history and architecture
Disadvantages: none

...Notre Dame Cathedral is a Parisian Catholic church which welcomes parishioners from all over the world, for worship, as well as travellers who come to appreciate over 700 years of divinity and fine architecture. I've been past it on several visits but this year fate called me in on a historic day, one remembered in sadness: the day the Pope John Paul II died. My sister and I walked around this massive, beautiful interior and we slowly realised the priest was praying sadly, amid holy incense and across the floor a growing 'pond' of candles around a photograph of the ailing Pope . We thought he had died but other visitors quietly advised us that he was probably in his last hours. That evening he died and the next evening we went back to Notre Dame and took part in his special Mass, attended by the French Prime Minister... Read review

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Advantages: Stunning Views, Free Entry To Inside of Cathedral
Disadvantages: Narrow Passageways, Poorly Lit inside (adds to ambience though!)

...Located in the very heart of Paris and on the Cité island in the middle of the river Seine, Notre Dame cathedral represents the apitome of gothic design. Although construction began at around 1160, it wasn't until 90 years later that the two towers on the west side were erected and another 550 years when the grand spire was added. The towers were to have had spires of their own, but these were never completed. In 1804, it was at the cathedral that Napoleon was crowned as Emperor of France. The 386 steps that take you to 69 meters (226 feet) from street level are well worth the climb, as you are rewarded with stunning views of central paris and beyond and the Gargoyles and statues that are built on the roof and facade just cannot be appreciated from ground level. Inside the cathedral the three stain-glassed rose windows are nearly... Read review

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Advantages: Its Magnificent
Disadvantages: Too many people

.... It has a magnificence and beauty that just has to be seen to be believed. Photographs do not do it justice at all. Considering how many buildings of this age have been destroyed over the years it is a tribute to an age and a knowledge that we have left far behind but should not be forgotten. Paris has a history and a culture that revolves from one point in the city, Notre-Dame and the Ile de la City. This area is where Paris grew from its humble roots and Notre-Dame is the centre point of Paris itself. This cathedral has influenced every aspect of the cities development over the past 700 years. Not just culturally but architecturally as well. Paris is a city of ornate architecture and their distant ancestor is Notre-Dame. If you wish to get an idea of Paris and how it has developed pop down into the Crypte Archealogique... Read review

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