When I was a child, my mother’s five siblings would each send me a $5.00 check for my birthday.  I don’t recall how many years that money kept coming, but it paid for a substantial part of a trip to Europe that I took after my junior year in college.

My then 20-year-old self was awestruck by Paris’ majestic Notre Dame Cathedral.

I thought about that trip the other day when I attended a wonderful talk by an architectural historian about the dreadful Notre Dame fire in April 2019 and her connection with its restoration.  She showed slides of herself in hazmat gear high in the rafters (supported by extremely tall scaffolding) as she advised on this monumental project.  President Macron had insisted Notre Dame be restored to its 1345 glory, and although finishing touches are still underway, the major work is complete, and Notre Dame is glorious once more.

The “before” in 1958 was très beautiful.  But now, seeing it pictured in all its restored beauty made me want to fly off to Paris.

As a service to 80-something readers I advise that you order your timed-entry ticket in advance.