From the Most Beautiful Rooftop

If you conquer the steep spiral stairs to the very top picking out through the narrow wall slots on Parvis de Notre Dame down below, you’ll be not only rewarded with the breathtaking birds view of Parisian rooftops, but you also can actually see and touch  the carved stone lace of the legendary Cathedral, literally follow the footsteps of the Hunchback. 

How many brilliant actors made Victor Hugo’s story alive and played this tragic character starting with silent movies, later  Charles Laughton and Anthony Quinn with gorgeous Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda.

I still remember  a heartbreaking final scene choreographed on powerful music of Maurice Jarre in ballet by Roland Petit Notre Dame de Paris  seen many years after it was premiered in 1965. It’s classics now and still sounds and looks so modern.

An audience gave a long standing ovation to that masterpiece of choreography and dance.

Now every kid knows the synopsis of a story thanks to Disney’s animation.

I’m never tired to climb to the very top of Notre Dame and always expect nothing less than Ah! Sheer admiration.

All this gargoyles, the grotesque creatures, out-of-worldly birds  did a great job protecting the cathedral from the evil for centuries.

Always happy to greet them with a friendly Hello guys, glad to see you! Keep going, keep looking after this beautiful city from above.

Thank you for coming.

* All images by Natalie Rapoport