Visiting Notre Dame for the First Time Since the Fire

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My name is Jay Swanson - I'm an American writer living in Paris on an artist visa. Paris (yes the one in France) has been my home for years now and I have every intention of staying here for as long as they'll have me. I write science-fiction and fantasy, vlogged daily for 3+ years, and love pizza a little too much. Now I make videos about visiting Paris, traveling in Europe, and try to share what I've learned along the way. I hope you enjoyed what you found.

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Patron Producer: Erik Rammelsberg
Music by: @dcuttermusic

[Darkeforce]

Just went in to Notre Dame on Wednesday evening. I wasn’t even planning on it, but I was walking past it after dinner and saw that they were still letting people in (it was like 9pm), so I thought I’d see if I could get in. Didn’t have a ticket or reservation whatsoever!No queue at all, and I walked right in. I have to tell you, it was an oddly emotional experience. I was overcome with such a sense of gratitude and humility. The cathedral looked perfect. Just absolutely perfect. That the cathedral could rise from the literal ashes is just a testament to so many people who poured their hearts, talents and treasure to its reconstruction. I’ll never forget the experience.

[DavidS]

As a child I spent many summers in Paris with my grandparents before we would go south to Lussan. Each and every year my grandparents would take me to Notre Dame. I loved the darkness and always thought “gothic” meant darkness but to see the cathedral as the she must have looked when built is nothing short of breathtaking. In all her glory she will continue to watch over Paris and France for millennia to come. Thank you Jay for sharing your visit.

[ABigRadWolf]

I cried watching this. I watched the streams as it burned and I donated what little money I could to help the rebuild and to see all of these people here… I’m so glad it’s still there to welcome people with open arms. I’m not even a Christian I just loved the building and I know it’s important to so many. Thank you for sharing!

[gpoenviededonnermonnom]

Je note le respect que tu as d'avoir sorti ton costume pour la visite de Notre Dame, merci 👔

[lawriefoster]

I spent the month of July in 1969 in Paris at Cite` Universitaire....17 years
old. Notre Dame was one of my homes...would stop in and ground myself
within the history of its walls. Shall never forget it!! Was somewhat taken
aback with the restoration and the loss of centuries of patina, of its softness and
of its ghosts. Yes, the restoration is superb, the colors magnificent...it is
as if Our Lady has put on a new they had no choice.

[EricGauchet]

Nôtre Dame is an Emotions Place for French and people of Paris. And we are gratefull to all who donated for her rebuild from all over the world. Thks Jay to share this emotion you had when you eard the bells ringing.

[sunshinegorman]

The first time I came across your channel was the live stream of Notre Dame burning. That was heartbreaking. It was the first place I visited my first time in Paris. I got off the plane bright and early in the morning, had the hotel hold my luggage and went straight to her. I wanted that to be the start of my adventure.

The smell being new and the same is pretty cool. The old and the new mingling. It makes a good metaphor.

[brucewilliams]

This is a splendid account of a truly remarkable achievement. 25 years ago, the cathedral we visited was gloomy with dust and incense smoke covering what you have so beautifully revealed. Many thanks from Australia 🇦🇺

[marshabailey]

It's hard for anyone who's ever visited the Notre Dame to not have a profound place for her in our hearts. You walk in and you just feel that this SACRED and holy. It envelopes you. There's just something about it. One time, I wandered in and the organist was practicing. Miraculous.

[donfzic]

Merci à tous les artisans : d’hier, aujourd’hui et demain.
Architectes, sculpteurs, charpentiers, artisans :
du bois, de la pierre, du métal, du verre, …
artistes de l’architecture, de la sculpture, de la peinture, des vitraux,
de la musique, des orgues … ETC !
🙏🫶👏😲😉

[gillwhiteman]

I love that you put on a tie for the beautiful Notre Dame. It is difficult to explain to people who have never visited this church why it so quickly captures the heart of those who visit. I am so pleased that she is back and with new life and light.

[bbbbgtm]

Nothing gets done quickly in Europe. The fact that it has been fully restored in five years is jaw dropping! The cathedral is stunning! I now have an excuse to head back to Paris. Au Revoir!

[chrisallender]

Thank you Emily, for working so hard to get the tickets . Without you, Jay wouldn’t have been able to bring us this amazing experience.

[mypublicchannel]

I graduated U. of Notre Dame back in the seventies. My first Sunday at Notre Dame was my last Sunday as a Catholic/Christian/Theist. I've written a book about it. But I love the school. A great place to be. Didn't even feel religious. Students from all over the world. Anyway, I've been to Paris 5 times. Last time was last year when I saw a closed cathedral. Very sad. Many people like me use Notre Dame as a central point to sightsee around Paris. It's right in the middle of the city of Paris. So glad it has been restored. It's a symbol of hope and inspiration for the world. It transcends all cultural lines.

[annawinkel]

Can’t wait to see it - when I lived in Paris 35 years ago I attended many of the free Sunday evening concerts. I last visited in 2015 with my husband and we had a photo taken with Notre Dame in the background. My son made a wood puzzle of that photo in his junior high woods class literally the week before the fire - he apologized because when he did the laser cutting of the wood the edges burned. The puzzle is a fitting reminder.

[rc]

Props to Emily and thank you team for this visual treat!

[sadler]

Thank you for taking us along on this incredible first look. I was there in October and would have loved to be able to see it in person. The sound of the bells at the beginning brought tears to my eyes. It is so awesome that Notre Dame has risen from the flames. It's a lesson for us all. Yeah, even when it seems impossible, we can rise.

[jlzab]

Quelle Beauté, merci à tout ceux qui on rendu cela possible en si peu de temps 🙏🏻🇨🇵

[mbrolfe]

Thank you for showing the side chapels and how vibrant the paintings are now. I visited in November, 2018 and my memories are how dark, smoke stained and gloomy those walls were.

[jdmdfw]

Your best video ever. Notre Dame is very special. Thank you for being respectful to our lady on your visit, and presenting the cathedral with the reference it deserves.