A few weeks ago we all saw and read the astonishing story of the completion of the restoration of the Cathedral of Notre Dame after the 2019 fire. To avoid repetition of that highly focussed material this short course will instead explore other critical areas, asking: why has Notre Dame played such an important role, not just as an emblem of Paris, but as a symbol of what it means to be French? If Notre Dame can be seen as an emblem of Paris, what does it tell us about Paris? If a symbol of French identity, what can it tell us about that identity? Why has its architecture been so admired and respected by masterful modern architects such as Corbusier? Why, nevertheless, did its structural restoration involve no 21c designs, but instead reproduced architectural details exactly as they had been executed before the fire?
The story of Notre Dame begins long before the present building. It was built where a temple to Jupiter once stood. When in the 12c archbishop Sully decided to rebuild the early Christian church of St. Étienne which followed that temple, he took the completely new Gothic, pointed-arch style of the nearby Abbey of St Denis as his model. This new style completely overturned previous notions not only of how to provide adequate space for worship, but how to elevate thought and spirit through the manipulation of space itself, just as the best modern architects do. Built over seven centuries, with successive architects deeply respecting the work of predecessors, through masterly checks and balances between rose windows and flying buttresses, stolid twin western towers and an elegant central flèche, the result is a masterpiece of architecture.
While taking different aspects of the great Cathedral in turn, we look at ways in which the principles of the whole design are reflected in French art and architecture as a whole. We look at how the influence of the engineering of the building is felt in French engineering genius from 16c churches right through to the Eiffel Tower and beyond. We see how, to this day, Notre Dame still dominates the centre of old Paris, unthreatened by the blandishments of financial skyscrapers, which are pushed out to the mists of La Défense. We study the debates surrounding the recent restoration, and discuss what they may tell us about current French attitudes both to architecture and to society. Above all, we witness the passionate as well as dispassionate “hold” that a great building can have on the imaginations of an entire nation, and beyond!
You can of course arrange to make this Notre Dame day a centrepiece of several days’ trip to Paris, or, like Nicholas, you can simply take the 8 a.m. train from St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, making an exemplary single day of it before returning on the 6 pm train to London. Either way, we will meet for lunch in a charming traditional bistro on Île St Louis, Le Flore En L’ÎIe, before exploring the glorious, literally uplifting flying buttresses and restored spire of Notre Dame before witnessing one of the most remarkable renovations of any historic interior in Europe. This is Notre Dame as you have never seen it, if indeed you have ever seen it. A gleaming, soaring, light-filled architectural experience awaits you! Whether you can come on this special day or not, we offer you a special four-session Zoom course by way of edification and inspiration!
BOOKING INFORMATION:
The Day in Paris:
Monday 19 May
Nicholas Friend will meet the 8.01 train from St Pancras arriving Gare du Nord at 11.28. We take taxis to lunch. At the end of the day we take taxis back to the Gare du Nord for the 18.02 train back to London. Those of you planning to be in Paris earlier or travelling by another route we would ask to meet us at the restaurant at 12.15.
Cost, including taxis from and to Gare du Nord and two-course lunch with wine at Le Flore De L’île restaurant on the Île St Louis: £155 members, £175 non-members
Please note we are limited to a maximum of 12 people for this tour.
Booking Information:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
A Day in Paris at Notre Dame has been developed by Louise Friend and will be presented by Nicholas Friend. Cheques are not a viable option at this time. Instead, please make your payment to Friend&Friend Ltd by bank transfer to our account with Metrobank, bank sort code 23-05-80, account number 13291721 or via PayPal to nicholas@inscapetours.co.uk, or credit/debit card by phone to Henrietta on 07940 719 397. She is available Tuesdays 10-12 and 2-5 pm or Thursdays 10-12 and 2-5 pm.
How to Set Up a PayPal account::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Click on this link: https://www.paypal.com/uk/home
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On the following screen choose “Personal account” and click “Next.”
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Click “Agree and create account” and your PayPal account will be created.
How to Connect your Bank Account to your PayPal account:::::::::::::::::::::::
Log on to your account and click the “Wallet” option in the menu bar running along the top of the screen.
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Enter the card information you wish to link to your PayPal account and click “Link card” for debit card.
How to Send Money::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Log on to your account. Click Send & Request.
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Type in the amount you wish to send, click continue then press ‘Send Money Now’.
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