6: Sainte Chapelle, Louvre

Just a few pics: went to Sainte Chapelle, an amazing church on Ile de la cité (the island in the center of paris Notre Dame is on). The downstairs was like “ok this is cool” then I went upstairs and my mind exploded. Image living in the 13th century. You basically live in mud, plague is still a thing, and a hatched roof is a luxury. Then you walk into this:

No shit you’re gunna believe in god, you’re standing in an overwhelming heaven on earth. The color and light is crazy–we’re so used to seeing gothic churches as grey stone, we forget that they used to be brightly painted everywhere.
Saint Louis (the 13th century french king, not the second best city in Missouri) built it to hold the crown of thorns, a piece of the true cross, and some other relics. His dad died without crowning him (a tradition up till then), so he had legitimacy issues, so when the crusaders sacked Constantinople (huge jerk move by the way, not that killing muslims isnt but c'mon guys do better) he bought those relics of the passion to give himself religious legitimacy. Anyways, cool church.

also went to the Louvre to check out the remains of the castle is replaced (still underneath it, very cool) and other stuff

Also saw the hotel des invalides, awesome complex including the church built by Louis 14 which ironically houses Napoleon’s tomb (which is monumental, really shows off that eponymous complex), all overwhelmingly majestic