GOTHIC GEMS OF PARIS:
Must-See Cathedrals and Monuments
While walking almost anywhere in Paris, you will most likely stumble across a historic site or set of buildings. Contemporary life is as normal as it is in say L.A. or New York, however, the modern Parisian does there day to day in a medieval environment. French Gothic cathedrals and churches set the precedence of style in medieval Europe; great monuments were erected all over Paris quite quickly as one sought to outdo the other in their grandeur. These gothic monuments, built centuries ago are still highly celebrated today for their history and for their beautiful display of architectural design.
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
Left: Post card collected in Paris
Center: Ashton in Square Jean XXIII
Right: Cathedrale Notre-Dame Front Enterance
Photos by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
Notre-Dame is probably one of the most well known of the French cathedrals to the average American. Yes, this is the building featured in Victor Hugo's tragic novel Notre-Dame de Paris (also known as Hunchback of Notre-Dame), but it is also important to note that there is so much more to be understood about this cathedral. From the portal (entrance) doors to the beautiful rose windows and flying buttresses, this monument captures the essence of medieval culture and thought in Paris at the time. Many of the sculptural scenes were informative to the general public who could not read or write at the time, expressing Biblical stories and the importance of the Church. Today, Notre-Dame is still an actively used cathedral and also a highly frequented stop for tourists in Paris.
Left: Upper-level of the Saint Chapelle
Right: Post card collected in Paris; View of upper chapel and reliquary altar
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
The Sainte Chapelle, built to be the private worship chapel of King Louis IX, is one of the best examples of Rayonnant architecture - a later period within the Gothic style. The entire upper chapel of the Sainte Chapelle is incredibly ornate, luxurious, and very fashionable to the times. Multicolored and descriptive stain glass windows make up more than half of the walls of the chapel and the decorative inside was richly painted from floor to ceiling. The chapel itself was built to hold relics of the Passion, the most important being a piece of the Crown of Thorns, and therefore needed a house that emphasized a heavenly aesthetic.
Left: Interior of Reims Cathedral
Center: Post card collected at in Reims, France
Right: Historical marking
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
Photo by Allison Planck; iPhone 5c
Located outside of Paris, in the city of Reims, is Reims Cathedral. Known for its incredible and awe inspiring height, Reims cathedral is an exceptional example of gothic architecture in France. This site is also incredibly important to the history of the French nation and people. Clovis, the first Christian king of France was baptized at this very site in Reims. In addition, this cathedral acted as the house of coronation for the French kings, and Charles VII was courageously led to this same spot by Jeanne d'Arc for coronation during the Hundred Years' War.
Left: Side Exterior of Chartres Cathedral
Center: Post card collected at in Chartres, France
Right: Exterior gardens at Chartres
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
It is hard to find surviving stained glass windows original to the period of the Middle Ages. However, Chartres remains to be the exception with almost all of the original glass intact. This includes one very rare glass called the Charlemagne window, which offers up a historical scene, rather than a purely religious one. It would be beneficial to bring a pair of binoculars to really see the details of the different stories depicted in the windows. Chartres is located right outside of Paris in Chartres, France and is also a fine example of French Gothic architecture.
Left: Post card collected in Paris
Center: Interior of Saint Denis
Right: Stained glass windows
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
Photo by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
The relevance and important of Saint Denis is attributed to Abbot Suger, who's reconstruction and additions to the church made it one of the first true Gothic monuments in Paris. Along with Saint Denis' aesthetic and architectural importance in the medieval era, the church was also affiliated with the French monarchy; this site was known as the royal necropolis for the French kings.
Left: Château of Vincennes tower
Center: View of the Forest of Vincennes
Right: Outer walls of Château Vincennes
Photos by Allison Planck; Minolta x-700
Between all of your visits to these beautiful gothic cathedrals and churches, be sure to visit the medieval castle on the outer border of Paris. Constructed in the 14th century by Charles V, the Château Vincennes has played a prevalent part of French history. From the royal hunts in the Vincennes forest to the surprisingly famous prisoners kept behind its walls, the castle allows for visitors to explore and discover the historical stories belonging to the Château Vincennes.