Paris to spend euro 80 million to restore churches

Critics say it's not enough, but the City of Paris plans to spend a substantial sum to restore many of the churches and synagogues the city has owned since 1905, when a law formally separating church and state was adopted. That's good news to those who treasure not only these buildings' spiritual role but their great beauty and historic value.

We haven't been to the smaller churches in Paris, but we've hit the high spots with Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, the Madeleine and Saint-Sulpice, which in addition to grand architecture presents a concert on its famed organ each Sunday after morning mass.

The Madeleine, looking like a Roman temple, was originally commissioned by Napoleon as a Masonic Temple.

This fierce fellow and his mates decorate the fountain outside the church of Saint-Sulpice, in the 6th arrondissement.

Sacre Coeur, taken from the tower walkway at Notre Dame.

If you can conquer the stairs, take the tour of Notre Dame's tower walkway, where you'll see this and other gargoyles.

Visiting ancient churches throughout France is a delight. The oldest we've been in is carved into the stone at Chateau Le Rochepot in Burgundy, but many towns have equally fascinating edifices.

The one at left is in the little village of Cadenet in Provence. We wandered in on market day and found this magnificent scene, along with some wonderful art, within the 12th century walls. Eglise Saint-Etienne was built on the site of an earlier 7th century chapel.

We've also been in the Romanesque Cathedral Saint-Trophime in Arles, built in the 12th century and a very ancient looking church from the same era in Pernand-Vergelesses in Burgundy. It's wonderful that in so many cases the doors are open and you can walk around freely gazing at the interiors, taking photos and often browsing the signs and literature that detail the history of the buildings.

Yes, it helps to be able to read a little French.

I hope this cherishing of history continues; France has a deep cultural history going back to Roman times (and beyond, such as at the prehistoric caves in the Dordogne region) and needs not only to know it but to follow its example of preservation, education and openness.