Gargoyles of Notre Dame Cathedral are Scary!



Scary Gargoyles, or Chimera, of Notre Dame Cathedral, by http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/

The Gargoyles or Chimera of Notre Dame were carved in stone and placed on the outside of the Cathedral to ward off evil.  They are very scary looking, and I doubt the evil would dare to go into the Cathedral.   If the gargoyles were made scary enough to ward off evil, imagine what they do to the rest of us!   Well, at first glance they are scary, and then they become somewhat lovable.  They're not the kind of Gargoyles in the Disney DVD, so warn your children ahead of time.  The gargoyles decorate the entire outside of the Cathedral and your child is sure to notice.

Other than the emotional use of gargoyles, there was a functional purpose in of using gargoyles on buildings.  Gargoyles, while decorative in nature, were actually used as collect roof water.  Basically, the functional purpose of gargoyles was to protect the building from structural water damage.

Lucky Little Travelers has a list of reading support materials for children that you should take a look at.  It will make your children's vacation to Paris so much more meaningful.  No matter their age there is something that can be read or watched.  Madeline books and the Hunchback of Notre Dame are among the support material. 

For more information:  www.luckylittletravelers.com We’re a new online travel guide dedicated to family travel.  Put us on the HomeScreen of your iPhone, Android, or SmartPhone.  We’ve maps, and homepages to major tourist attractions.  Lucky Little Travelers is FREE.  We’ll save your precious vacation time for family fun!  Please, be patient with us.  We're new and we are constantly growing, so if you don't find what you are looking for please come back.  All comments are welcome.



Notre Dame Cathedral Under the Dramatic Paris Sky

 

Notre Dame Cathedral  From the Rive Seine, by http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/

Notre Dame Cathedral is over 800 years old.  Built to be the center of Paris and the daily life of its citizens, it is dedicated to Mary, Mother of God.  Notre Dame means "Our Lady," in French.  The Cathedral is Gothic in style.  Architectural features are pointed arches with thin vertical piers, all pointing to heaven.  Also featured are the famous flying buttresses of the Gothic period.  Another notable characteristic of Notre Dame are the gargoyles, or Chimera, which were placed on the outside of the building.  It is important that your children understand that they were put there with the idea that they would ward off evil, so that only good would enter the Cathedral.  To interpret this to a young child, “gargoyles scare off the bad guys.”  And, believe me they are scary looking. 

www.luckylittletravelers is a website dedicated to family travel.  We’re FREE.  We have some great reading ideas to incorporate your Paris vacation into your children’s lives.  See our Website for details.  Most of the ideas need to be thought of in advance and we done that for you.  Our goal is to make your children’s vacation to Paris more meaningful and memorable.  Put us on  the HomeScreen of your iPhone, Android, or SmartPhone before you leave on vacation.  We've got maps and homepages to all of the major tourist attractions, that will save you time trying to look them up while you are on vacation.  We’ve listed family friendly destinations, travel tips, and printable packing lists.  Have a great vacation!