Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral, a great icon of French gothic architecture.

I spoke to an American friend the other day who has been staying here in Paris since last May. She was quite ecstatic as she had just managed to pay her first proper visit to Notre Dame cathedral. She had tried twice before, but the long lines put her off on both earlier occasions. But this time of year the crowds are sparser and visiting the city's popular attractions is a much easier undertaking.

Notre Dame is one of the great architectural and religious icons of Paris. For anyone who manages to scale the daunting climb to the Chimera Gallery - all 255 steps - they are rewarded with the dramatic sense evoked by the belfry, the narrow passages, gothic carvings and slightly unnerving view of the gargoyles that provoke an uneasy feeling that Quasimodo may just appear from somewhere out of the shadows.

Judging from her excited descriptions of all she saw, I think my American friend would have made a poor Esmerelda. She would have been far too absorbed by the sights of Notre Dame to have paid a blind bit of notice to the carry-on of old humpy. And who could blame her? After quite a history of desecration, restoration, breaking down and building up, this renowned cathedral, beloved of the Parisians, has so may exquisite gems to enthrall the visitor.

I recommend that you view them all. Something best done based at close quarters in one of the many excellent Paris city centre hotels. Leading me in perfect manner to this post's feature offer ....

Saint Germain Hotels Paris, deals and discounts

~ Now available ... new at Paris Best Hotels.net . Great discount Paris hotel deals.