colline notre dame du haut, ronchamp, france
Next stop after Vitra Design Museum was the famous church on the hill top secluded from the rest of the community habitat in Ronchamp, France. This stop however was the most difficult to plan out. Located on the top of the hill in a petit place called Ronchamp, the church is tucked in dense woods. With limited bus options available through the day, I was very unsure if I should attempt to visit it on a solo trip. However, with all the courage I could gather and I made a decision to spend a bit more to be safe and booked a cab ride from Vitra Design Museum to Notre Dame Church. 1.5 hours one way, it was a difficult time through the travel. I was told my many that this place is desserted and you will see very less people around and even when you reach. Not many visit the church often.
Back from India, I had booked a cab with GET TRANSFERS and paid for the advance booking with several questions running through my mind till the date and time of the actual trip. Is GET TRANSFERS safe? Will the Cab arrive? How will the driver be? Will I be safe as I travel this route alone? I really wonder from where I gathered the courage to take this ride.
After the booking, untill the time of the trip, there was no communication with the driver or GET Transfers to know the update and confirmation. All what I had with me was the receipt and details of the car and the car number. I had booked the cab for 12:30 pm at Vitra Entrance for the 12th May 2019.
The day finally came, I finished by guided tour at the Vitra Design Museum and decided to grab a bite. I had decided that if the cab did not arrive, then I will spend the day at Vitra and then head to the station to take the train to Paris. But at 12:29 pm, I received a message from the driver saying I AM STANDING AT THE GATE. oh wow ! Yes the GET TRANSFERS did work.
I went to the gate to find a big black car waiting for me. I hope in the car with all the thoughts crossing by me. The next 1.5 hrs was going to be difficult for me. Also because of a lot of baggage which we carry of travelling alone, safety concerns, isolated places, and more.
I kept eating my hot dog as we travelling through desserted country side roads, with no person to be spotted. Hoping that the rider is a good person and will take care as we reach the church. I got a little chatty with him to tell him the travel plan as we reached the hill top. I could not find one person at the parking, the entrance was also hidden in dense tree cover. I must say I was very scared at that moment. I requested the rider to guide me till the gate and be there untill I find some person around. He pointed out to the path leading to the reception and comforted me that I was safe and I will find people inside.
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Here I was at the RECEPTION of Notre Dame Church finally. With one lady issuing tickets and 3-4 people around. She guided me to the church through the back entrance, again I was walking alone finding path on the hilllock to finally see the church and within the church abour 15-20 people. WHAT A SIGH OF RELIEF.
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After the World War II, Le Corbusier was commissioned to design this church in place of the older destroyed church. The church is like a white box sitting a top a green carpet with a largish brown cap providing shade to the white wall from the sun on top.
The walls, roofs, and the floor gently curve and slope thus evoking a sculptural composition. One of its wall is perforated with several openings and fenestrations of stained glass allowing entry of soothing daylight.
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The roof gently curves towards the sky and is lifted up to generate a gap between the walls and the roof plate thus allowing a sliver of clerestory light to enter.
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Just at the base the chapel is a monastry, design by Renzo Piano, Monastère Sainte-Claire. I could only see it from outside however, the details and clean neat design was a treat to the eyes.
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*****
Back from India, I had booked a cab with GET TRANSFERS and paid for the advance booking with several questions running through my mind till the date and time of the actual trip. Is GET TRANSFERS safe? Will the Cab arrive? How will the driver be? Will I be safe as I travel this route alone? I really wonder from where I gathered the courage to take this ride.
After the booking, untill the time of the trip, there was no communication with the driver or GET Transfers to know the update and confirmation. All what I had with me was the receipt and details of the car and the car number. I had booked the cab for 12:30 pm at Vitra Entrance for the 12th May 2019.
The day finally came, I finished by guided tour at the Vitra Design Museum and decided to grab a bite. I had decided that if the cab did not arrive, then I will spend the day at Vitra and then head to the station to take the train to Paris. But at 12:29 pm, I received a message from the driver saying I AM STANDING AT THE GATE. oh wow ! Yes the GET TRANSFERS did work.
I went to the gate to find a big black car waiting for me. I hope in the car with all the thoughts crossing by me. The next 1.5 hrs was going to be difficult for me. Also because of a lot of baggage which we carry of travelling alone, safety concerns, isolated places, and more.
I kept eating my hot dog as we travelling through desserted country side roads, with no person to be spotted. Hoping that the rider is a good person and will take care as we reach the church. I got a little chatty with him to tell him the travel plan as we reached the hill top. I could not find one person at the parking, the entrance was also hidden in dense tree cover. I must say I was very scared at that moment. I requested the rider to guide me till the gate and be there untill I find some person around. He pointed out to the path leading to the reception and comforted me that I was safe and I will find people inside.
Here I was at the RECEPTION of Notre Dame Church finally. With one lady issuing tickets and 3-4 people around. She guided me to the church through the back entrance, again I was walking alone finding path on the hilllock to finally see the church and within the church abour 15-20 people. WHAT A SIGH OF RELIEF.
After the World War II, Le Corbusier was commissioned to design this church in place of the older destroyed church. The church is like a white box sitting a top a green carpet with a largish brown cap providing shade to the white wall from the sun on top.
The walls, roofs, and the floor gently curve and slope thus evoking a sculptural composition. One of its wall is perforated with several openings and fenestrations of stained glass allowing entry of soothing daylight.
The roof gently curves towards the sky and is lifted up to generate a gap between the walls and the roof plate thus allowing a sliver of clerestory light to enter.
Form & Geometry & Composition
Just at the base the chapel is a monastry, design by Renzo Piano, Monastère Sainte-Claire. I could only see it from outside however, the details and clean neat design was a treat to the eyes.
*****