As a child, when I walked towards the Notre Dame, seeing its different angles, the immense scale and intricate detail was too much to capture for a 6 year old. Awed by its presence, I simply enjoyed its physical beauty. Revisiting this masterpiece as an architecture student over a decade later was a whole different story. The depth of design and the layers of history attached with it was evident and overwhelming. This 850 year old cathedral has withstood everything and there was no way that an accidental fire was going to bring an end to its legacy. 

This gothic master piece has seen several phases in the evolution of Paris and France. It has witnessed historical moments like the coronation of Napoleon I as the emperor of France, the Te Deum Mass took place here for commemorating the liberation of France from the Nazis after a 4 day siege of the church, the exoneration of Jean D’Arc, suicide due to unrequited love and it was even the place for meeting for the cult of Reason (atheistic religion). Despite its richness, rather than being a church of royal significance which was constructed to show the rising power of the northern French cities, it was always a church for the common people of Paris. It was built with an eerie outdoor design with many biblical creatures such as the gargoyle, chimera and the stryga to create fear among the common people about the power of the church.  Ironically, today this has turned into a photo-shoot destination for newlyweds across the world capturing different angles of this iconic gothic cathedral. The church, along with its parvis acts as a magnet, bringing together the Parisians for all sorts of crazy acts. Witnessing the musicians, skaters and dancers performing kept me grounded down to earth and to the human scale after climbing the 387 steps and observing all the possible corners of this church.

On my second visit to the Notre Dame, I met a friendly tourist who was exploring this masterpiece just as I was and as soon as we got chatting, she told me about the many narrow aesthetic cobble streets secretly tucked away around Notre Dame. She took me there right away and I found myself lost in one of Woody Allen movies. This city is a surprise on its own, jeweled by occasional precious stones like the Notre Dame and the Eiffel tower.

The island along on which it stands has a picturesque beauty.

As we walk towards the bridge connecting the rive gauche (right bank) to ile de la cite, the many bouquinistes(tiny book stalls) line the walkway and is one of the most Parisian sight that we can capture. One among these book stalls is the Shakespeare and Company where any book worm could be lost in for days together. The fountain Saint Michelle, a few meters away from Notre Dame is also another major center of activities in the evenings. Want to try out your artistic skills- perform there and you would be astounded by the acceptance of the crowd. The city with its unique shops, restaurants, fountains, streets and cafes spilling onto the streets all sewed together by the river scene epitomizes aesthetically rich city character. Its boulevards and plazas designed by Haussmann back in the 1400s are the same structure on which the Parisians adapt to comfortably today as well. 
Being a symbol of pride of the Parisians, I have no doubt that they will restore Notre Dame to its initial state. The millennia old wood which may not be available today will have to be imported from the farthest ends of the world, the best craftsmen and even possibilities of 3D printing are being considered to bring this ancient church to its former glory. It has many more generations to teach and the city of love to embellish with its bygone charm. As Macron promised to the million broken hearted Parisians, the church should be completely back to its initial state within 10 years. I can’t wait to go back to revisit this masterpiece after it is restored and again rediscover another parameter to explore about this church.

Article By,
Gayatri Manghat,
BuildIt Correspondent from Bangalore.