No trip to Paris would be complete without a stop at Notre Dame, and rightly so. In my experience, some of the great monuments and buildings in Europe have been so built up and seen so many times that by the time you actually see them, it can be a bit of a letdown. But that is certainly not the case with Notre Dame.

It leaps out of the surrounding scenery and immediately pulls you in. I do remember thinking it looked smaller than I had imagined, but that was just in driving up to it. Once you are standing in front of the cathedral, staring up in awe at the extremely intricate carvings above the entrance, all thoughts of it being small evaporate.

I remember that the weather was bad the day I stood before the cathedral, built between the 12th and 14th centuries, and even without the light that would have made it so stunning, I still found myself in awe. I think the real majesty of Notre Dame is in its stained glass. Some of the windows inside the cathedral were unlike anything I've seen before or since. I remember pulling out my best slide film to put in my camera and sending out a small wish I'd be able to capture something of them with out the benefit of good lighting. All indoor shots of cathedrals are inevitable letdowns, but to this day, the best ones I have came from Notre Dame. I recommend that you double-check on opening times, as they are a little tricky in being arranged around the mass schedule, as it is still a cathedral.
Guided tours are available, though I recommend a quiet wander yourself around the inside. Even if you're not snapping photos (which you will certainly want to), it's a peaceful and stunning place that leaves a quiet impression on you. If you can go in the off-season, I would recommend it---I need to revisit Paris if for no other reason than to sit alone in the sanctuary of Notre Dame without a tour group calling out the next itinerary. If you're in Paris, make time for this. You won't regret it.

With its prominent location on an island in the midst of the city, a history dating back to the 12th century, its impressive Gothic architecture, and the immortal story of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by Victor Hugo, Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris is one of the top attractions in the city. A stop at Notre Dame should be on any visitor’s short list and it is easily accessible by the Metro. (The Cite stop is closest, but St. Michel or Les Halles, on either side of the Seine, are short walks.) The cathedral is open from 8am until 6:45pm daily, and admission is free, though a climb up the bell tower to get a look at the famous gargoyles will cost a few Euros and perhaps some tight hamstrings if you rush the ascent too much. By far the most impressive time to visit is during Mass. The great organ, the choir, and the rich French voice of the priest saying mass echoing through the cavernous Gothic sanctuary is a truly moving experience. Hundreds of votive candles will greet you as you enter (for 2 Euros each, you can add your own.) Incense hangs in the air and the ambiance of the whole scene is nearly surreal. The best times on Sundays for Mass are 10am (Gregorian chants); 11:30am (with the choir); 12:45am (chanter), and 6:30 pm (choir). You can also catch an organ recital on Sundays and church holidays at 5:15pm. Notre Dame is an experience that is not to be missed!

Every step you take into the cathedral is met with the resounding echo of Victor Hugo's eternal words. The words of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (a personal favorite of mine) is seen in ever statue and every tile. The cathedral is absolutely beautiful and, of course, is free to enter. There are still running services but you can walk around them to see the church (it's set up like St. Peter's Basillica, if you've been there). I didn't go on an official tour; I'm not even sure if there is one. I spent about half an hour there.

This is a spectacular place. I was enthralled by the service that was occuring when I entered the church and that it was in Latin. I am not Catholic, but there is something so sacred and beautiful just being inside this place. I was blessed to be inside the church just as the sun was setting and the light inside the stained-glass windows was stunning. I was so awestruck by this experience that I returned in the daylight hours and found it equally as beautiful.

This is an impressive place that is certainly beautiful and awe-inspiring. Being Catholic, I decided to attend Sunday Mass. I was disappointed by all the tourists walking in and out and the Mass being such a commercial spectacle that even the least critical of the Catholic Church would be disgusted. I did not feel like it is such a holy place at all.