9 June 2024: Gregorian Mass and Notre Dame
A Quiet Day in Paris
As it was Sunday, we decided to attend the 9:00 am Gregorian Chant Mass at Saint-Sulpice.
In the evening we met up with some friends staying in the Marais. We enjoyed a nice meal at the restaurant Chez Mademoisel.
On the way to and then back from the Marais we caught some glimpses of the construction work being done on Notre Dame.
A typical Parisian streetscape on the way to Saint-Sulpice.
Gregorian Chant Mass
The service took place in the chancel (outlined in red in the diagram below).
The congregation sat in the central area between the main altar and the choir organ. The choir sat in the choir stalls just to our right. The small rectangle in front of the organ is the altar used in the service.
The singing (chanting) was accompanied by the two-manual-and-pedal choir organ made by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll in 1858.
The seating arrangements felt intimate and inclusive. The overall effect was ethereal and very moving and calming.
Floor plan of Saint-Sulpice
For more on the church, see my earlier post: Church of Saint-Sulpice
A Brief Recording
Here is a brief recording to give you an idea of how it all sounded in the large space of Saint-Sulpice.
Notre Dame and Dinner in the Marais
The rebuilt spire only went up recently. Notre Dame is still very much a building site.
After some champagne we were ready to head out for dinner.
Thanks again to Jill and Tony for a great night.
Notre Dame at night.
The restoration and repairs of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris are on track to be completed by the end of 2024.
The cathedral is set to reopen to the public on 8th December 2024, nearly six years after the devastating fire in April 2019 that caused significant damage to its roof and spire.
The reconstruction efforts have involved extensive work, including the restoration of key structural elements and the rebuilding of the iconic spire.
Great news.
Stay tuned for more adventures on our European Odyssey!