Stockton students were able to to visit two Gothic cathedrals during this trip in France. The first cathedral is in Amiens. The cathedral in Amiens is slightly more grand in the sense that it had more ornamental detail with its gargoyles and sculptures. The Norte Dame Cathedral is smaller in size, but it is a central landmark for all tourists in Paris. One of the most noticeable pieces of the cathedral are the rose windows. One of them is thirteen and a half meters long, but they are all quite a sight to see. The flying buttresses and pointed arches are two features that are clearly gothic. Dr. Hayse was able to give lectures about Gothic architecture for both of the cathedrals to help us identify the similarities between the two.
Outside of the Notre Dame Cathedral
Inside, visitors are able to see different relief sculptures depicting different biblical references. The Norte Dame Cathedral has a variety of different stained-glass windows, which is a strong tourist attraction. Also inside, there is a model construction of the entire cathedral because from the outside, visitors cannot view it in its entirety. This is informative because it gives the visitor a more general view of the cathedral. A timeline of the cathedral's construction was also placed inside. It was interesting to see the development of the cathedral because it indicates which additions came first and which ones came later.
Inside of the Notre Dame Cathedral
A nice surprise about the Notre Dame Cathedral came from one of our tour guides during our walking tour of Paris. She said that the Norte Dame cathedral previously had sandbags surrounding it. This was to prevent and protect the cathedral from bombs and raids during the war. However, Nazis during WWII used it as a club, which is shocking, but interesting to learn. It was nice to make another connection between the core purpose of the tour and one of the main tourist sites. Overall, it was a beautiful day that was full of learning and adventure.
I went to France about 2 years ago and visited the Notre Dame Cathedral too. Overall it was my favorite part because of all the history behind it as well as the architecture and how big the church is.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I have never been to the Notre Dame Cathedral, but i most certain would love to visit some day. The sites, such as this Cathedral, is amazing to see and witness first-hand.
ReplyDeleteI heard that there are 10 bells, from Emmanuel to Marie, Gabriel and Étienne, ranging from 13,271 kg to 782 kg. Did you hear the sound of the rings? This place is huge and I am sure being there beings good feeling for visitors. it’s a favorite place to visit for both adults and kids alike.
ReplyDeleteIn high school my French teacher told us about the Notre Dame Cathedral and ever since I've wanted to visit it. The pictures and stories I've heard about it have only made me fall even more in love with it than before. The architecture of this building is so beautiful that I could not imagine what it must look like in person. It's definitely at the top of my list for places to visit before I die! Thanks for sharing all the great pictures you have of your visit!
ReplyDeleteI have always admired stained glass windows, but the rose windows at the Notre Dame are unlike any other. They must have taken to much time and skill to construct. I find it amazing that the cathedral has been around for hundreds of years, yet it still stands so pristine. It is hard to believe that it was once a club in war times. Thank you for sharing your photos and experiences from your visit!
ReplyDeleteI love Gothic architecture! The high ceilings and stone facade make it look like a castle. I bet sound carries differently down the halls inside...
ReplyDeleteYour photos and experiences from this whole trip are amazing! You managed to fit in so much culture and knowledge and chronicle it along the way.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your experience. It is fascinating to read the details you go into about both buildings. I can just imagine how amazing visiting these locations were. There is a lot of rich history within those walls.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are amazing. I wish they were a little bigger so I could see the detail a little better.
ReplyDeleteThe architecture is beautiful. I am most interested in the role that the Notre Dame played in the war. It is fascinating to think that the Nazis were using this grand religious building as a club. I never thought of sand bags as something to protect a building from bombs, but it must work. I know that sand bags were used at the base of buildings in Manhattan when preparing for Superstorm Sandy and they protected the buildings pretty well. The combination of history and science can be so interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe Notre Dame Cathedral looks beautiful. To find out that it was used as a club by the Nazis is unbelievable. But there is a feeling of satisfaction when they protected it with sandbags during war. The architecture its self gives it more value. You can tell they took time to build the tour sight.
ReplyDeleteI loved your blog post. I have been to The Notre Dame Cathedral and it is absolutely beautiful. It is great to see that another individual had a similar outlook and experience while visting Notre Dame Cathedral. Thank you for adding some photos it brought back some wonderful memories!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI took a few Art History courses and I find The Notre Dame Cathedral to be very interesting. To see your pictures rather than ones on the internet/ in books is amazing. I hope to go one day, the history in this architecture is intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to go to The Notre Dame Cathedral. It looks so beautiful. The architecture of the cathedral was probably breath-taking when you saw it in person. Gothic architecture is styled so beautifully and I love seeing buildings like the Notre Dame Cathedral.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the architecture of these buildings. What an interesting detail about the sandbags and using the building as a club. It is such a beautiful cathedral. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are so beautiful. I love how in the second picture you capture the stained glass windows in the top of the picture. Thank you for sharing what you learned!
ReplyDeleteIt must have been so cool to see such well-known cathedrals in real life. That is a once in a lifetime experience. The architecture in itself seems so fascinating. I bet the tours taught you a lot about the land's history and about the war.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are beautiful! I love seeing all of the amazing architecture. I find it very interesting this was used as a club for the Nazis. Also that there were sand bags placed around the outside to protect it from bombs during the war. I had no idea any of this occurred. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures and your story telling make me feel like I am there. It must have been so breathtaking to have been in the presence of one of the most well known monuments in the world. The little facts you learned from your tour guide also make it that much more special as this is information a majority of people would never know. I hope to make it there one day but for now your blog has made me feel as if I was. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Heather! I think it is so cool how you got to go to France with a couple students from Stockton during spring break. I really enjoyed reading about the Notre Dame Cathedral, and viewing the picture from what it looked like on the outside and what it looked liked on the inside. Such a beautiful Cathedral!
ReplyDeleteMegan Sweeney
I love the pictures you included in this post. I've been dreaming of going to France so I really enjoyed seeing them. It's awesome that Stockton gave you guys the opportunity to do this. You talked about the places so well it makes me so jealous. Everything looks so beautiful thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting! I enjoyed looking at the pictures you included in your post! The Cathedral is absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour storytelling through rich content is so engaging, it makes me feel like I'm there too! One day I hope to visit significant monuments as beautiful as these. Thanks for sharing all the specific details that made the Notre Dame Cathedral come to life through this blog post.
ReplyDeleteI went to Notre Dame Cathedral about 12 years ago. I was only 13 so at the time I didn't have much appreciation for it. From what I recall it was very beautiful inside and all the history behind it, is amazing. The architecture is like no other. The glass windows are absolutely beautiful inside . I would love to go back again.Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis post was so interesting. I loved how you put your pictures up so the reader could see. I love how you described the interesting part of the construction, I never knew that. It is so nice to see Notre Dame through your eyes because since the fire in April it will never be the same. I know the country will do everything in their power to restore the building but it will never be the original. You were lucky to see it when you did! great post so detailed! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGothic architecture has always been one of my favorites! When studying to art of Spain for a class last semester we found a lot of Gothic influences, and I was able to see it for myself when I traveled there this month. It is truly different to be able to see it in person!
ReplyDeleteThe Notre Dame Cathedral is world-renowned, clearly. Hearing a mass there would be amazing! I cannot believe what the Germans used it as a club and how it was made to be protected during World War II. Pretty astonishing, I must say.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures in this post are so amazing! The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the coolest places to me and would love to see it in person!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures in this blog are amazing and the write up on your experience was very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI was very excited to read this post because I have always wanted to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral! The photos are beautiful and I find it very interesting that the Germans used it as a club during WWII. That is something that I would have never expected.
ReplyDeleteBethany M
DeleteI have been a few Cathedrals in my love and I also love the different aspects of them. I would love to go to one overseas. The pictures in the blog post are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe Notre Dame Cathedral is a dream destination of mine. It is amazing the great shape it is in despite it being around for hundreds of years. Loved these photos and the write up of your experience!
ReplyDeleteNicholas M
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI learned about Gothic architecture in a course I’m taking this semester, and I remember reading about the Notre Dame cathedral (the reason there’s so much room in the interior for stained glass windows is because most of the structural support in Gothic cathedrals—like the flying buttresses you mentioned—is on the exterior. This was a departure from the earlier Romanesque style of architecture.
ReplyDeleteI wasn’t aware of Notre Dame’s connection to World War II before reading your blog, so thank you for sharing. I know that Notre Dame has an interesting history, but the Nazis using it as a club sounds especially bizarre.