Here Are Some Of Your Favorite Memories Of Notre Dame

By NPR

Published April 17, 2019 at 7:37 AM PDT

This story was published more than 5 years ago.

Hannah Bloch, an editor on NPR's international desk, shared this photo her great-grandfather took in 1931, with Notre Dame in the background. He had served as a U.S. Army doctor in France during World War I and returned on holiday years later.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame, one of the world's most beloved churches, was devastated by fire in Paris on Monday.

We asked you to share your most powerful recollections and impressions of this majestic landmark.

Here are just a few from among the hundreds of responses we received:

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Chrissy Flores @ha_bibti

The Notre Dame will always be one of my favorite memories while visiting Paris. The architecture, art and history was a marvelous experience to take in. The peace one felt walking in a crowded cathedral filled with tourist is unexplainable! This needed to be seen in person. – at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Michael Scherotter @synergist

Watercolors sketches from a month ago visiting #NotreDame on a cold day.

Anne Rice @AnneRiceAuthor

Kevin Thompson @kevinross

I worked in Paris for six months after college and visited Notre Dame at least once a week. It was a place of refuge and beauty for me, one that I will never forget.

Erika Cadena @Eri_Ka12

I was there only two months ago at Sunday Mass and later went up to the bell tower where I saw the gargoyles that sat guarding the cathedral as well as the spire that collapsed today. Part of my heart will forever be with #NotreDame.

Stephanie Joyce @StephyJoyce

My dad and I saw Notre Dame for the first time last year. Just being able to go on vacation with my parents while they're still healthy and able to travel is a memory I'll forever cherish.

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Meg Waite Clayton @MegWClayton

Susan Gambino @susan_gambino

Once inside, her majesty took my breath away, and a deep peace came over me. I was in awe at everything I looked at, but the roof – that stunning, unimaginably high roof – built by hand, to be as close to the heavens as humanly possible. I'm so sad.

Katia Lee @TheKatiaLee

One of my favorite images of my mother has always been this one. It so hard to see her brokenhearted today. #NotreDamedeParis

Kira Zeeman Rugen @Kiradawnaz

I was so moved by the beauty of the cathedral in 2016, that I composed this piece about the gorgeous stained glass windows of Notre Dame.