I still remember watching the news coverage of the devastating fire that threatened to destroy the beloved landmark that has stood watch over the city of Paris for nearly 900-years. Despite the odds, the magnificent cathedral still stands, and now as the reconstruction begins, author Kathy Borrus (Five Hundred Buildings of Paris) has released a new book, Notre Dame de Paris: A Celebration of the Cathedral to celebrate the rich history of the beloved Parisian landmark.
Through the pages of the book, we’re given an inside look at the cathedrals history along with rarely seen photographs. The cathedral has not only served as a house of worship, but has also survived wars, been the host to royal weddings and coronations and inspired the well-known literary classic, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame Cathedral from Quai de Montebello, Paris, France
The book has a little something for everyone whether you’re a lover of art, architecture, cinematography, the literary world or history. Along with beautiful photographs of the cathedral throughout its history, the book includes an architectural drawing that points out the different aspects of the cathedral from the West Rose Window and Colonnade to where the spire once stood. As an art lover I enjoyed seeing the paintings by both Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso that showed two very different views of Notre Dame.
The book concludes with a paragraph that should bring hope for the cathedrals new chapter,
As we’ve learned in these pages, Notre Dame has been safeguarded through times of war and devastation; it has survived demonstrations and strikes, anarchists and crooks, fictional hunchbacks and actual revolutionaries. So too shall it survive this latest chapter full of fire and destruction. The story of the cathedral is still being written. – Kathy Borrus
About the Author
As an intrepid world traveler and mother, Kathy Borrus draws inspiration from far-flung cultures as well as those close to home. She is the author of the books, Five Hundred Buildings of Paris, One Thousand Buildings of Paris, and The Fearless Shopper, co-author of The Business of Crafts and contributor to Fits, Starts, & Matters of the Heart. A freelance writer, she specializes in art, travel, culture, shopping, and architecture. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Washington Flyer, Art Business News, Bethesda Magazine, and FranceGuide among others. She lives in Washington, DC.
Chimeras (gargoyles) of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris overlooking Paris, France
This book makes the perfect gift for yourself or family and friends who have an appreciation for Notre Dame and the beautiful city of Paris. To pick a copy for yourself, just click here.
All images from this post, with the exception of the image of the book were provided by Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers. I was provided with a review copy of the book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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