Notre-Dame de Paris

We visit Notre-Dame Cathedral to view the 850-million euro reconstruction after the fire on April 15, 2019 destroyed much of the building.  The cathedral officially reopened on December 7, 2024 and we book an entry time online to visit.

Notre-Dame is located at the eastern end of the Île de la Cité island and was started around 1160 when Maurice de Sully, bishop of Paris, conceived the ideal of converting the ruins of two earlier churches into a single building.  The foundation stone was laid in 1163 and the high alter consecrated in 1189.  The choir, western facade, and the nave were completed by 1250 and the porches, chapels, and other embellishments were added over the next 100 years.

The 2019 fire completely destroyed the cathedral and a collaboration of historians, architects, and master craftspeople from around the world used traditional techniques and materials to rebuild it.  The finishing work continues across the structure through 2026 (with a  crane still erected behind the cathedral).

Reopening

Outside

We enter and explore the interior of the cathedral.

Entrance (with timed entry pass)

First view on entry

We walk counter-clockwise around the cathedral, passing behind the alter and returning to the front of the building.

Walking to the rear of the cathedral

Returning to the entrance

The restoration work is incredible and the cathedral is restored to its former incredible glory!

Renoir Exhibition at Musée D'Orsay

It's been a while since we visited Musée d'Orsay, one of the largest art museums in Europe, built in the former Gare d'Orsay railway station in Paris.  The museum holds mainly French artwork and we are excited that it is currently hosting an exhibition of works by Renoir, one featuring paintings and another, drawings.

Featuring Renoir

We enter and start with the paintings, titled Renoir and Love (Renoir et l'Amour) using the subject matter of couples, bohemian friends, conversations, and convivial lunches to offer a reflection on the era and on love.

Renoir et l'Amour

The exhibition next door is titled Renoir the Draughtsman (Renoir Dessinateur) and features drawings, many of which are largely unknown.  Renoir never stopped drawing and is reported to never let a single day go by without sketching.

Renoir's drawings

Following the drawings, we find Renoir's pastel art, in which he is a considered a master on par with Manet and Degas.

Pastels

From the Renoir exhibitions, we head up to the top floor of Musée d'Orsay for a quick spin through the impressionist collection, spotting many favorites and a few we don't recall, but really enjoy.

Impressionism

We return to the main floor of the museum and head out into the city for more exploration.

Back on the main floor