Notre Dame’s mark on Hugo

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Notre Dame, Paris, France - Matted Photo

Notre Dame, Paris, France – Matted Photo

It’s true that Notre Dame owes a lot of its cultural significance to Victor Hugo and his novel but Notre Dame didn’t just sit there and let Hugo’s imagination work with out her influence.

Anaykh craved on the wall, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Anaykh craved on the wall, 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

One story goes is that as Hugo was up in the towers of Notre Dame he came across a word craved on the wall. The Word was “Ananke.” Ananke is a noun that means “force, constraint, necessity” and is the personification of destiny, necessity and fate. Seeing this word craved on the wall made Hugo think about the person who wrote it. From this word Frollo was conceived, making him the first character for the novel. Ananke is also a major theme in the novel.

Quasimodo is crowned King of Fools (Charles Laughton) 1939 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo is crowned King of Fools (Charles Laughton) 1939 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Also while Hugo was exploring Notre Dame, the cathedral was going though repairs. One of the stoneworkers was a Hunchback who was also British. His name was Henry Sibson This suggests that Quasimodo was inspired  by Sibson.

You can get the  Print of Notre Dame by clicking here!

Notre Dame in the 1800’s

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Paris Skyline by Michael Tompsett

Paris Skyline by Michael Tompsett

By the early 1800’s Notre Dame was in a sad state. The local government thought about tearing it down. Then, in 1804, Napoleon decided it was the perfect place for his coronation, which gave the gave the old girl a new lease on life.. However it wasn’t till 1831 that Notre Dame was given a large public opinion boost.

On January 15th 1831, Notre Dame de Paris was published. Hugo was commissioned to write the novel and its agenda was to increase appreciation of old gothic structures. Which it did and Notre Dame was given a restoration. And thanks to both Napoleon and Hugo (but mostly Hugo), Notre Dame is one of jewels of the Parisian Skyline.

You can get the painting of the Paris Skyline by Michael Tompsett, by clicking here, It’s very pretty isn’t it?

Let’s meet the Bells of Notre Dame!

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The Bells of Notre Dame picture image

The Bells of Notre Dame

Weighting in at an impressive 13271kg and singing a lovely F#2; Meet Emmanuel, the leader of the group.

Marie, the Glamorous one,  weighs 6023kg and belts a delightful G#2.

Gabriel, the Shy one, weighs 4162 kg and makes a sweet A#2.

The Heart-breaker of the ensemble, Anne Geneviève weighs  3477 kg and omits an enticing B2.

Denis, the Smooth one weighs 2502 kg and serenades the people with a  cool C#3.

Marcel, the Cute one weighs 1925 kg and  makes an angelic D#3.

Étienne, the Graceful one, weighs  1494 kg chants a magical E#3.

Bad-Boy, Benoît-Joseph, weighs 1309 kg blasts a strong F#3.

Maurice, the Heartthrob of the group, weight 1011 kg and charms the ladies with his seductive G#3.

Jean-Marie, the Wild  one, weights 782 kg and makes a daring A#3.

Check their live performance for Notre Dame 850 birthday

(Personality traits of the bells are meant for humor purposes only)

Let’s start with the Architecture

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Notre Dame's Floor Plan picture image

Notre Dame’s Floor Plan

Construction  on Notre Dame de Paris began  in 1163 when the first cornerstone was laid down.  It was completed between 1250-1345.

Interior of Notre Dame picture image

Interior of Notre Dame

Notre Dame is a prime example of Gothic architecture. Gothic architecture is characterized by pointed arches, vertical heights, flying Buttress, vaulted ceiling, light and airy interiors, gargoyles, and decorative and ornate style.

Illustration of Flying Buttresses picture image

Illustration of Flying Buttresses

Notre Dame was among the first buildings in the world to use flying buttresses. The reason for a buttress is to resist the lateral forces pushing a wall outward by redirecting them to the ground. The flying buttress does not connect to the wall or ground and instead the the lateral forces  are being transmitted by an intervening space. The flying butress made it possible for buildings to be taller, creating larger Rose windows and reinforce  the wind loading on buildings.

Speaking of Rose Windows, or sometimes called a Catherine windows, a Rose window is a term for  a circular window in Gothic architecture.  Though the term Rose window wasn’t used till the 17th century.

Notre Dame's South Rose Window picture image

Notre Dame’s South Rose Window

The South window was a gift from King Saint Louis and was designed by Jean de Chelles and Pierre Montreuil. It depicts  Christ surrounded by saints and angels.  The North window was also designed by Jean de Chelles and depicts the old testament surrounding the Virgin Mary. There is also the Western Rose Window, which is the window of the facade which also depicts the Virgin Mary.

Notre Dame's Gargoyle picture images

Notre Dame’s Gargoyles

Probably Notre Dame’s more iconic feature is its Gargoyles. Gargoyles are used as decorative element and as gutters. The myth behind the Gargoyles on Churches is that they keep evil spirits away.