I am planning on being in Paris on Easter Sunday and considered going to Chartres Cathedral or Notre-Dame in Paris. Should I expect there to be alot of people?
Thanks.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
I have not been in Paris on Easter Sunday and don't know the answer to your question about how many people to expect (where? in the cathedrals, in the city?). But I did have the thought that since you're already going to be in Paris, Easter Sunday might be a good day to stay in the city rather than test the Easter Sunday capacity of the French train system--this would point to Notre-Dame Paris rather than Chartres. You can hardly beat the ambience of Notre-Dame.Again, I don't know for sure, but am guessing that you might need a reservation to get into Notre-Dame on Easter Sunday, or be prepared to stand in a long line? (the biggest day in Christendom and the best known cathedral in Paris). But I'm guessing here--hopefully someone will have personal knowledge and can advise you further.
Posted by
OP
Ft. Worth, Texas, US
19 posts
Thanks Kent. I suspect you are correct: The one day that many people would attend mass...
Maybe this is the day to tour Versailles since it is closed on Monday. ;)
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Check the Versailles website to make sure it's open on Easter Sunday; if it is, that could be a busy day at Versailles. I've never been to Europe, France or Paris on Easter, so I don't know. I have noticed that the French use Sundays for family time--who knows, it may be that they mostly will stay home? Hopefully one of our French residents will fill us in on this?
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
8 posts
Jeffrey,
We were in Paris a few years ago and went to the Easter vigil at Notre Dame. We arrived an hour or so early and there was quite a crowd.(Watch out for little old nuns in habits they elbow you to beat you in the door!)
It was worth the wait and the crowd although it was 2+ hours long.
JA
Posted by
OP
Ft. Worth, Texas, US
19 posts
Thank you, Joyce.
I don't know why, but I have this vision of just "me" in these places during this time of year! No one else venturing out since it might still be a little cool or rainy. What I fail to remember is: Real people actually live in these places and they actually do use the cathedrals.
Anyway, I may observe from a distance.
Thanks again!!
Jeff