We had a bit of gothic overload after visiting Notre Dame twice, once to go inside and once to climb to the top of the towers.  The first stone was laid in 1163 and the cathedral was completed 200 years later.  It is famous for its numerous scary gargoyles and is the setting for Victor Hugo’s classic novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  When we went in it was absolutely packed with tourists and very dark as it was a dark cloudy day outside.  The strenuous and twisting 300 step climb to the top was well worth the incredible views and gargoyle photos.  While I was up there I remembered that I had brought a infrared black and white camera so I used it as well.  This is another huge post, I thought about splitting it into two parts but decided to go ahead anyway.  Thanks everyone for your nice comments on the other posts!

The front at sunset –

Front entry –

Front detail, can you find Satan and his minions? –

Interior –

Buttresses! –

Side door –

Perfect place for an impromptu mock-beheading –

Side gargoyles –

Gargoyles on top (IR camera)-

Looking toward the sun – yes, this is an HDR photo –

Looking west all the way to La Défense, what a view! –

View to the east with the Notre Dame steeple –

Paris rooftops, I added the border and a warm texture layer –