On to Notre Dame, beautiful in the sunlight without the huge crowds we saw the last time. Walked in and reacquainted ourselves. A new 'exhibit' documented the construction and renovations over the centuries.
Outside, a stroll through the park to marvel at the flying buttresses and gargoyles. Crossing the Seine, we also marvel at the fad of placing a lock on a bridge to 'lock' your love forever and throwing the key into the river. At least until the bridge collapses or the locks are removed. We noticed some possible fair weather lovers who used combination locks. On the other side, a small park with a statue of Voltaire plus Paris' oldest inhabitant, an acacia tree planted in 1602.
After a nice lunch, on to St. Chapelle, the private, very high gothic chapel built by (Saint) Louis IX from 1242 to 1248 to house the purported Crown of Thorns, which he purchased for €500 million euros (at today's rates). Then spent €370 million for the shrine to display it (destroyed in the revolution) and €150 million to build the chapel. And this chapel was just for him and his family, plus special friends and a priest.
When last here, half the windows and the altar were covered for cleaning and restoration. Today, it's all open, a miracle of height, light and color.
Chanda is tired and feeling flat. Later, Rick and I go out for Greek fast food and some stir fry for Chanda.
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