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A gargoyle-overlooking-the-seine-notre-dame-paris

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Photo du Jour: The Gargoyles and Grotesques of Notre Dame

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Tricia A. Mitchell

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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 Eiffel and 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!

gargoyle-gazing-at-sacre-coeur-from-notre-dame-in-paris
gargoyle

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Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.

Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

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12 responses to “Photo du Jour: The Gargoyles and Grotesques of Notre Dame”

  1. andybeel Avatar
    andybeel

    Interesting shots – thanks

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Hello and thank you for stopping by, Andy! Your black & white photography is quite elegant. Your images inspired me…

      Reply
  2. Karen Salvador Avatar
    Karen Salvador

    These shots make me miss Paris…

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      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?

      Reply
  3. fotograffer Avatar
    fotograffer

    Great images – especially the first one. Black and white is perfect for them. Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      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?

      Reply
  4. Travelbunny Avatar
    Travelbunny

    Something for you Tricia :) http://the-travelbunny.com/awards-2/

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      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.

      Reply
  5. Naomi Baltuck Avatar
    Naomi Baltuck

    Wonderful shots!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      Many thanks, Naomi. Paris is such a gem to wander about – so many lovely details to capture on film. :)

      Reply
  6. ilivetotravel Avatar
    ilivetotravel

    I take way too many photos of those gargoyles but how can you not? The second one is my favorite!

    Reply
    1. Tricia A. Mitchell Avatar
      Tricia A. Mitchell

      That second gargoyle does have a bit of a mischievous expression, doesn’t it? :)

      Reply