Paris - a chance meeting !

A few weeks ago we went to the South of France to find some warm sunshine and blue skies.

We stayed in Paris for a few days before traveling south.

We were staying in the Marais, so after lunch we decided to go for a walk over to Ile St Louis and take in the sights.

Notre Dame.

As we got near to Notre Dame we could see so many people and a huge stand built facing the main entrance of the cathedral. Of course we wanted to know what was going on.
We found out that we had arrived on the day and the time that nine new bells were coming to the cathedral to celebrate its 850th anniversary.

The Great bell, or  'bourdon', weighing 6 tons  and named Marie had been cast in a foundry in Holland.
The eight other bells, all named after saints or important people within the Catholic church had been cast in Villedieu-les-Poeles in Normandy.

The other Great Bell still hanging in the Cathedral was ringing away to welcome the new bells as were thousands of people.

The old bell, called Emmanuel has hung in the cathedral since the 17th Century.

This elderly nun was delighted and was trying to take a photograph with her phone.

It was obvious ( like me ) that she didn't know what to do.

( I've only just learnt predicted texting !! )

Anyway she asked a couple of young men and they helped her, she then asked their names and said she would say a prayer for them.

A few more people asked if she'd pray for them too and I last saw her walking down the road with a very happy smile on her face repeating their names so as not to forget !

Wonderful - a day not to forget !

Beautiful iron work on one of the cathedral doors.