Exceptional Property

Monday, May 23
We are saying Au Revoir to our castle and heading into Paris, the City of Light.  We need to return our rented car and take a high speed train to Paris.  And all goes well!  I'm always shocked when that happens.
Our accommodation in Paris is an apartment rental from AirBnB, and it is entitled "Exceptional Property--Notre Dame"...and is it ever!!  It is a gorgeous apartment with the most amazing view of Notre Dame!!  We meet Ivan, whom we are renting from, when we arrive.  From what I've read, he has two homes...this one in Paris and another in Amboise (Loire Valley).  He is a photographer and I can tell from this wonderful place that he truly has "an eye". The furnishings are stunning!

Everything is so beautiful!  And the view! We have a tiny balcony where you can sit and enjoy the lit Notre Dame.  All the windows afford such amazing views.

 the view from our balcony...awww amazing!

We enjoy a late lunch and a little people watching from a local cafe.
Our apartment is so close to Notre Dame (literally across the street) and since John and Jacque never saw the interior of this amazing cathedral on our last trip...we decide to visit.  This French Gothic cathedral was built from 1163 to 1345.  The stained glass and all of the side chapels are beautiful.

 Notre Dame, Paris

And the architecture...amazing!  I had read in Pillars of the Earth, that the goal of architecture at this time was to build the cathedrals as tall as they could, so that they would be closer to God.  The grand heights were causing collapses, until flying buttresses were invented.  This cathedral is a great example of the use of flying buttresses.  (And we get a grand view of the grand buttresses from our living room!)
We eat dinner at our favorite little cafe from our last trip.  It affords a great view of the River Seine and Notre Dame…and is great for people watching.  We all order Beef Bourguignon and enjoy our food and company.  Aw Paris!