In the afternoon we had a panoramic driving tour of Paris and a Tour of Notre Dame. Some of the sights we visited along the way included the Arc de’Triumphe, the Paris Opera House, the Invalides (where Napoleon is buried), Hotel De Ville, and the Champ Elysses.
But nothing can top the historic and magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. Not only has it been a place of worship for 860 years but it has stood the test of war, fire, persecution and revolution. It was begun in the year 1163 and completed in 1260 and is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. It has been the subject of many books, movies and has inspired visitors from around the world. The tragic fire of 2019 accidentally set by either a cigarette or an electrical fire brought the world to its knees wondering if it could ever be restored to its original beauty and elegance. 340,000 donors from around the world contributed over 700,000 euros (the equivalent of more than $928 million U.S. dollars) to restore the beautiful cathedral) and it reopened on December 8, 2025 to rave reviews. I had the opportunity to sing with the Holy Angels choir many years ago and I can tell you that the restorations have made it brighter and more elegant than ever before. It is truly breathtaking.
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