Notre Dame

 Written by Stephanie Taylor, Editor-in-Chief

Intelligent Luxury 

“Notre Dame represents a historically, architecturally, and spiritually, outstanding universal heritage. It is also a monument of literary heritage, a place that is unique in our collective imagination. Heritage of the French but also of humanity as a whole. This drama reminds us of the power of heritage that connects us to one another. We are receiving messages of support from all over the world,” said Ms Azoulay in a press release from UNESCO. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo is a French novel about a hunchback man that lives in one of the towers in the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France. The Notre Dame Cathedral is on the island of Ile de la Cite in the Seine river.  At 800 years old and more; the  cathedral will be rebuilt.

Why did Victor Hugo write about the Notre Dame? Does the Notre Dame cathedral symbolize religious security? After the fire, people still celebrate the historic architectural details of the Notre Dame cathedral.  Why is the cathedral so historic? Is it it's age or it's many beautiful details made of cement and wood. 

I have yet to visit the Paris or the Notre Dame cathedral.  Yet it reminds me of several cathedrals in the United States of America with their rectangular towers and arches in windows and inside the structures. I know the Notre Dame cathedral reminds me of buildings on Temple University's campus.  Stone arches, chandeliers, and sculptures. How does the novel using the cathedral as a setting compare to other French novels by other French authors. Why do we love religious art and religious buildings?