is a gothic masterpiece situated on the Ile de la Cite. Built by Louis IV in the 13th century to house the crown of thorns - I first went there with an Australian medical student back in the eighties. He was living in Paris and had a list of beautiful destinations to visit - but this one easily topped the list. It was so gorgeous that I wondered if I might have imagined it - built it up in my mind and over-embellished during the intervening years. Turns out I hadn't. When I went back some time later it was, if anything - even more beautiful - because by then I had seen lots of other things with which to compare it.
It still feels like being inside a giant, jewelled box - surrounded by light and space and colour. I was there a couple of weeks ago - and it took my breath away.
Which place takes your breath away?
