Our Lady of Paris is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Her legendary gargoyles have kept watch over the city, her bells can be heard rising far and wide, her three 13th-century colorful rose glass windows are awe-inspiring, and her two towers were the tallest structures in Paris until the Eiffel Tower was completed. She is the most visited place in Paris annually.

Did you know it took 182 years to build the cathedral? And that in 2013 the cathedral celebrated its 850 anniversary. 

I was luckily enough to have visited her twice on my trip to Paris in 2017. I sat inside and marveled at the rose windows and vaulted ceiling. Then climbed the 140 steps of the towers, enjoyed the views over the Île de la Cité and beyond, stood next to the ancient gargoyles and chimera, and walk among the bells. Notre-Dame is more than a building, it’s a symbol of Paris and of hope!

Size: 5x7
Materials: watercolor + pen on watercolor paper