In the shadows of Notre Dame, we waited for just under an hour to ascend the 387 stairs of the cathedral’s north tower.
Once high above the rooftops of Paris, we strolled about the Galerie des Chimères marveling at the figures there. The statues gazing at La Tour Eiffeland Sacré Coeur are technically not gargoyles since they are spoutless. Also, these animal hybrids are not original to Notre Dame, since they were added during renovations in the nineteenth century.
Gargoyle or not, these grotesques certainly have some of the grandest views of Paris!
Tricia A. Mitchell is a freelance writer and photographer. Born in Europe but raised in the United States, she has lived in Valletta, Malta; Heidelberg, Germany; and Split, Croatia. An avid globetrotter who has visited more than 65 countries, she has a penchant for off-season travel. Tricia has learned that travel’s greatest gift is not sightseeing, rather it is the interactions with people. Some of her most memorable experiences have been sharing a bottle of champagne with distant French cousins in Lorraine, learning how to milk goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village, and ringing in the Vietnamese New Year with a Hanoi family. She welcomes any opportunity to practice French and German, and she loves delving into a place’s history and artisanal food scene.
A former education administrator and training specialist, Tricia has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in international relations. She and her husband, Shawn, married in the ruins of a snowy German castle. They’ve been known to escape winter by basing themselves in coastal Croatia or Southeast Asia.
Her writing has appeared in Fodor’s Travel, Frommer’s, and International Living.
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12 thoughts on “Photo du Jour: The Gargoyles and Grotesques of Notre Dame”
Isn’t it great that you can drive there pretty quickly, though? :) That’s something I loved about living in Heidelberg. We also miss the City of Lights, as well as France. Here in Banaue, we’ve met a great French couple from Alsace. Makes me homesick…just for a brief moment though! The breathtaking sites here in the Philippines and beyond are a great distractor. What’s your favorite corner of Paris?
Merci beaucoup, Ron! How I miss Paris. I cannot believe it took me a few visits there to finally make it up among the gargoyles of Notre Dame. Splendid views! Have you been to that spot?
I’m so flattered, Suzanne! I’m off to explore the sites of the other winners, and thank you for your recognition. Sending my best holiday wishes to you.
Travels With Tricia 
Interesting shots – thanks
Hello and thank you for stopping by, Andy! Your black & white photography is quite elegant. Your images inspired me…
These shots make me miss Paris…
Isn’t it great that you can drive there pretty quickly, though? :) That’s something I loved about living in Heidelberg. We also miss the City of Lights, as well as France. Here in Banaue, we’ve met a great French couple from Alsace. Makes me homesick…just for a brief moment though! The breathtaking sites here in the Philippines and beyond are a great distractor. What’s your favorite corner of Paris?
Great images – especially the first one. Black and white is perfect for them. Thanks.
Merci beaucoup, Ron! How I miss Paris. I cannot believe it took me a few visits there to finally make it up among the gargoyles of Notre Dame. Splendid views! Have you been to that spot?
Something for you Tricia :) http://the-travelbunny.com/awards-2/
I’m so flattered, Suzanne! I’m off to explore the sites of the other winners, and thank you for your recognition. Sending my best holiday wishes to you.
Wonderful shots!
Many thanks, Naomi. Paris is such a gem to wander about – so many lovely details to capture on film. :)
I take way too many photos of those gargoyles but how can you not? The second one is my favorite!
That second gargoyle does have a bit of a mischievous expression, doesn’t it? :)