Although Paris may have earned the fitting nickname "The City of Lights," it may also be fair to call it the "City of Two Churches." Among all the animated life filling these French streets stand the peaceful structures of Notre Dame Cathedral and Sacre Coeur Basilica. You may not be much of a mass-goer, but when you stop in Paris during your summer study abroad journey, visiting these two churches should be one of your top priorities, as each of them present completely different yet equally as breathtaking experiences for travelers.
Name Notre Dame as a top destination
Perhaps one of the most notable landmarks within the entire city of Paris is the Notre Dame Cathedral, serving as a common backdrop to movie scenes and even being the setting of Victor Hugo's classic "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." For this fact alone, it would be a sin not to visit see this world-renowned and recognized structure while in Paris – more than 14 million other travelers make it here, which means you should, too.
Notre Dame was constructed over the course of three centuries, and if you look at the immense and intricate church, you can see why. It is a masterpiece showcasing French Gothic architecture at its finest and it is so large that it can comfortably accommodate 6,000 people at the same time. The facade is adorned with carvings and statues, including gargoyles, and on the side of the building, buttresses fly from the building and onto the Seine-side garden next to the structure. Elaborate stained glass windows are featured throughout the church, though the most impressive one is the south rose window, which is dedicated to the New Testament.
See a whole new Paris from Sacre Coeur
After basking in the imposing beauty of Notre Dame, you can make your way from Île de la Cité to Montmartre so that you can enjoy a entirely distinct excursion. Although Sacre Coeur Basilica may not be as well known as Notre Dame, it still rivals the Cathedral in terms of aesthetics and serene atmosphere.
Parisians started to construct the Basilica following the Franco-Prussian War as a form of repentance, but it wasn't completed until 1919. Perched atop the hill of Montmartre, the white stone church is brought to even greater heights with the help of its enormous dome. If there is one thing that you notice about this building to compared to every other structure throughout the city, it would be its style. Built with Romano-Byzantine elements, the Basilica differs greatly from typical French architecture and better resembles the Hagia Sofia. Entering the church, a wave of peace is likely to wash over you as soon as you see all the light shimmering against the mosaic apse.
If you want to make the most of your journey up to this part of Paris, then you should think about climbing the 234 steps that wind all the way up to the topmost portion of the Sacre Coeur. From this point, you will have one of the most incredible panoramas of Paris. This view alone will make your trek up to Montmartre – and your study abroad adventure as a whole – well worth the effort.