April 15, 2019 was a really unhappy day for Paris and the world. The 850 yr outdated church within the coronary heart of Paris caught hearth and burned for nearly 15 hours. I used to be shocked and heartbroken after I noticed photographs of the cathedral in flames and later in ruins.
1. Earlier than The Fireplace: The Fantastic thing about Notre Dame de Paris
I’d like to begin off this put up with photographs displaying how lovely Notre Dame Cathedral is. Details about its historical past and the latest hearth, come after.
(a) The Inside Of Notre Dame
The church has three spherical, stained glass home windows that have been constructed within the 1200s. These are the rose home windows and measure roughly 32 ft in diameter. The Grand pipe organ was added in 1868 and through its lifetime it has been modified, been repaired, and up to date. On the again is the golden cross and alter.
If you happen to had the chance to go to the highest of the towers, you’d have seen the gargoyles shut up and gotten nice views of Paris. Whereas the gargoyles on prime of the tower are completely positioned for photographs, they’re in actual fact used for drainage. From up prime, you bought a panoramic view of Paris with sights of the Seine river, the Eiffel Tower, Saint Sulpice, and Tour Montparnasse.
(b) The Exterior Of Notre-Dame
Considered one of my favorite locations to take photographs of Notre-Dame is from the southeast nook of the cathedral. Whether or not you might be standing on Pont de l’Archevêché or sitting on a barge having a drink (I’ve completed each), you’ll at all times get a fantastic view—-day or evening.
There are at all times crowds close to the entranceway to Notre-Dame. They’re both gazing on the statues and carvings on the facade, trying on the two towers, or staring down at Level Zero. That is the precise centre of Paris from which all distances are measured.
(c) October 2018 Sound And Gentle Present
Throughout my a go to to Paris within the Fall of 2018, it was introduced that there can be a particular sound and light-weight present referred to as, “Dame de Coeur” (Queen of Hearts), created by Bruno Seillier. I completely liked this present and I hope it’s going to return after the renovations are completed because it was actually a singular expertise. It highlighted the great thing about Notre-Dame de Paris in so many colours-—actually.
The spectacle ran for 8 nights (16 classes) and it was anticipated that 160,000 noticed the present. It happened proper in entrance of Notre-Dame Cathedral with vibrant lights shining on the monument. Admission was free and also you simply wanted a ticket to get into the secured space. Everybody stood round to look at the present for about half an hour.
The storyline of the present concerned a gathering between a French nurse and dying American soldier on the battlefield throughout World Warfare I. He tells her that he regrets having by no means visited Notre-Dame however by means of magic, they’re able to go to it collectively. This story was instructed with a lightweight present illuminated on the facade of Notre Dame mixed with dialogue (in French, after all), and music.
2. Historic Notre-Dame Cathedral
Notre-Dame de Paris (Our Woman of Paris) was constructed within the twelfth century on Île de la Cité, and whereas Victor Hugo’s e-book, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” made it standard for the plenty in 1831, it’s significantly famend for these information:
- is essentially the most visited monument in Paris, with greater than 13 million guests a yr
- designated a UNESCO World Heritage website
- Napoleon Bonaparte was topped Emperor there in 1804
- survived the French Revolution and two world wars
- supposedly homes the crown of thorns which is alleged to be what Jesus wore earlier than his crucifixion
- lots of the heads of the statues at Notre-Dame have been eliminated through the French Revolution by protestors believing they symbolized the monarchy. (They really represented the kings of Judah). 21 of the severed heads might be discovered on the Cluny Museum.
- within the nineteenth century, architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc labored to revive Notre-Dame’s western facade, changing the decapitated heads of the statues and including the spire to the highest of the cathedral.
3. Fast Recap About The Fireplace
The most recent photos from inside #NotreDame are exceptional. Clearly huge harm. However given the hearth burned so lengthy, the altar and cross appear largely intact, and even rows of pews untouched by flames pic.twitter.com/pa8uZhrUcI
— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 16, 2019
The picket roof and the spire have been destroyed on April 15, 2019 however miraculously, the dual towers have been saved and the three stained glass rose home windows remained undamaged. Over 400 firefighters fought the blaze and all of us felt helpless as they struggled to extinguish the hearth.
Consultants have claimed that one of many causes the entire cathedral didn’t collapse is due to the design of the church. The stone vaults acted like arches and when mixed with the buttresses, the partitions have been bolstered.
It’s mentioned that the reason for the hearth was an accident, however some really feel it was linked to the intensive $9 million renovation challenge that was happening. An investigation by the French authorities is underway.
President Emmanuel Macron introduced that Notre-Dame can be rebuilt and that funds can be raised to perform this. Inside a number of days, nearly 900 million € ($1 billion) had been pledged. It was acknowledged that Notre-Dame could possibly be closed for at the very least 6 years and that there can be a contest to design the brand new spire.
Fortuitously, 16 of the copper statues (12 apostles and 4 evangelists) had been eliminated days earlier than the hearth and Paris Mayor Anne Hildago has mentioned that lots of the furnishings, artworks, and treasures from Notre-Dame have been moved to Hôtel de Ville till a extra everlasting storage facility might be discovered.
Hopefully, by the point the repairs and renovations are completed, you should have a chance to see the great thing about Notre-Dame de Paris.
4. Restoration Of Notre Dame Cathedral
Because the devastating hearth in 2019, I’ve visited Paris 5 instances and have witnessed the gradual restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral. The price of the restoration is estimated to be over €700 million.
Every time I visited, giant billboards usually surrounded the cathedral. Whereas they have been there to cordon off the development, what I loved most have been the photographs, graphics, and tales concerning the hearth and the courageous firefighters who labored tirelessly to extinguish the flames. Lately, there was a give attention to the craftspeople and groups who’ve labored to restore and shield its magnificence and historical past.
Medieval methods have been used as a lot as attainable within the restoration course of. I used to be impressed much more from my go to to Château de Guédelon quickly after the hearth as a result of for this château, they’re setting up it solely utilizing the strategies and instruments from the Thirteenth-century. (If you happen to’re curious to be taught extra concerning the restoration efforts at Château de Guédelon), take a look at my go to right here: Château de Guédelon. Seeing the craftspeople at work made me notice how essential and troublesome the duty to revive Notre Dame is.
Vital Milestones In The Restoration
The collapse of the spire, crashing by means of the cathedral’s rafters and roof quickly after the hearth began, was was televised around the globe and was surprising to see. So, to have a brand new spire put in in March 2024 was a giant deal.
Along with changing the spire, right here have been another key achievements:
- Three new bells have been put in above the alter and one of many bells had been used within the Olympics. It was rung by every observe and area winner. On November 8, 2024, the bells rang for the primary time since 2019.
- The cathedral’s roof was reconstructed utilizing the unique medieval design. It has usually been referred to as “the forest” because of the wooden construction underneath the lead roof. Earlier than the hearth, the wooden had come from centuries outdated oak timber courting again to the 1200s. Sadly, the picket framework was destroyed within the hearth. For its restoration, one thousand outdated oak timber, aged 150 to 200 years, have been chosen to exchange this wooden. They got here from private and non-private forests all throughout France.
- The stained-glass home windows and the big rose home windows weren’t broken however because of the smoke and soot from the hearth, have been very soiled. The glass was cleaned and at present, the colors of the home windows are extremely vibrant.
- A lot of the stonework was additionally undamaged however did get lined in soot and grime so it over 40,000 sq. metres of limestone masonry needed to be cleaned.
- When the church was on hearth, many frightened that the Crown of Thorns, which was on show in Notre Dame, was destroyed. This relic was believed to be the wreath of thorns that was locations on Jesus’ head when he was crucified and within the Thirteenth century it was dropped at Paris by King Louis IX. The crown was saved, nonetheless, by the Paris Fireplace Brigade and for the opening, will probably be positioned in a picket shrine and introduced to the church on December 13.
- Some work will proceed into 2025 however a lot of the Cathedral will likely be able to welcome the general public.
5. Re-opening Of Notre Dame Cathedral
(a) Reopening Ceremonies (December 7 and eight, 2024)
There will likely be particular festivities the weekend of December 7 and eight. Many aren’t open to the general public (asterisked).
On December 7:
- a live performance on the parvis de Notre-Dame within the night
- an official inauguration attended by the Archbishop of Paris, President of the Republic, officers, and visitor will happen at 6:30 pm*
On December 8:
- inaugural mass at 10:30 am*
From December 8-15:
- The Octave Of Reopening with mass at 10:30 am.
(b) Entry to Notre Dame
Visiting Notre Dame de Paris is now easier and extra streamlined with a brand new reservation system. Whereas reservations aren’t obligatory (you may simply line up), they’re extremely beneficial for quicker entry and shorter wait instances. Reserving is free, and also you’ll obtain your digital ticket immediately through e-mail. However take into account that you possibly can solely make a reservation the day earlier than, two days earlier than, or on the day of your go to.
Study extra about the best way to plan your go to on the official Notre Dame web site! https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/go to/practical-information/reservation
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