Promenade #1: Paris in Layers: Notre Dame, Saint-Chapelle, Conciergerie

Bonjour tout le monde!

1/27/2016

As I stated in my introduction, I do a variety of walks in Paris for my French Culture class. The following is the first walk I did in Paris. It is probably the best but also the longest walk I will do.
1. Hôtel de Ville

The view from the Reine

This walk started in front of the Hotel de Ville, a renaissance structure that was rebuilt in 1873 after it was destroyed during the commune. It is best known for the numerous executions carried out there during the ancien régime and it is the governmental seat of Paris.

2. Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation

The main memorial inside - It contains the anonymous bones of people killed in camps

After a small walk on the Reine, I arrived at the Memorial des Martyrs de la Déportation. This Memorial is dedicated to the memory of the jews and other groups who were deported to the Nazi camps during World War II. Inside there is the main monument (shown above) but there were also many posters describing different actions that occurred inside the camps during the second world war.

3. Notre-Dame

The panoramic view from the top

The front of the Notre Dame

     
One of, if not the most beautiful Cathedrals in France. I started the tour of the Notre-Dame by climbing the many stairs to the top to see the beautiful panorama skyline of Paris. After, I was able to go inside of the Notre-Dame and walk around the designed interior. The Notre Dame took over a hundred years to build and its' beauty is surreal.

4. Parvis de Notre Dame

Inside this museum one may see all the historical layers upon which modern Paris is built.

5. Conciergerie
 
During the middle ages this monument served as a royal residence, and at the time of the revolution the Conciergerie served as a prison. It was here that Marie-Antionette spent their last hours before being led to the guillotine at the Place de la Concorde.

6.Sainte-Chapelle

The inside of this church is beautiful. The top level of the church contains spectacular stain-glassed windows that depict scenes from the Bible and scenes from the Crusades.
Overall, it was an amazing walk!

À bientôt,

Claire Hunsaker