Notre-Dame Reconstruction & Restoration Progress Update
June & July 2022 Preparatory Excavations The excavations at the transept crossing are now complete, and the ground is prepared to support the 600 ton, 100 meters high scaffolding that will help reconstruct the spire. The excavations were made possible by the removal of the podium located at the transept crossing, which was badly damaged […]
Notre-Dame Construction Progress Update
After the completion of the Safety Phase in 2021, 2022 marks an important step forward as we rebuild and restore Notre-Dame Cathedral. Preliminary operations are already underway, like the major campaign to clean the interior of the cathedral. Over the next few months, the Établissement Public, the public agency in charge of managing the restoration, […]
The Stained-Glass of Notre-Dame de Paris
One of the most well-known features of Notre-Dame de Paris are her expansive stained-glass windows, including the three magnificent rose windows. The Art of Stained Glass The artistry of stained glass quickly gained prominence in the 12th century. These large, colorful windows became a staple in Gothic architecture, bathing many newly constructed cathedrals in the […]
Notre-Dame Cathedral’s Interior Renovations
In early December, France’s National Heritage and Architecture Commission assessed proposed plans to decide how Notre-Dame de Paris’ interior will be renovated. In addition to the structural and external damage cause by the fire in 2019, the interior of the cathedral suffered water, smoke and lead dust damage to the seating, interior lighting, lectern, and […]
The Bells of Notre-Dame de Paris
One of the most famous features of Notre-Dame de Paris is her bells. They faithfully mark the hours and ring out to commemorate significant occasions. How much do you know about Notre-Dame Cathedral’s bells? Notre-Dame Cathedral has 10 bells, of which, the “bourdon” dates back to the 15th century. The bourdon is the heaviest bell […]
Notre-Dame de Paris Rebuilding Updates: January & February 2021
Since the new year, work on Notre-Dame de Paris is steadily progressing as we continue securing the structure of Notre-Dame Cathedral. We anticipate this work will be finished in summer 2021. Now that the scaffolding has been removed, the cathedral will be placed under a temporary umbrella-like structure above the crossing of the transept, nave, and choir to protect its interior from water damage. Installing this protective structure was finished in February.
Notre-Dame Cathedral’s Choir Statues
If you’ve ever visited Notre-Dame Cathedral, you must have noticed the many statues that adorn its interior. Looking specifically at the choir – the area of the cathedral designed to accommodate the liturgical singers between the nave and the altar – the statues represent many things; some commemorate saints, depict biblical events or pay homage to French monarchs. But none are as prominent as the statues that surround the high altar in the apse at the end of the choir.
Notre Dame Scaffolding Removal is Complete
The dismantling of the damaged scaffolding on Notre-Dame de Paris is officially complete since November 24! This essential operation was a key milestone of the Safety Phase, which will ensure Notre-Dame Cathedral’s structural integrity and security.
Notre-Dame de Paris: Restoration Work on the Grand Organ Begins Today!
New Life for Notre-Dame Cathedral’s Grand Organ Today is a historic day for the cathedral’s Grand Organ: it is the first day of its journey to restoration. During the fire in April 2019, miraculously, the Grand Organ was largely unharmed by the blaze itself and received very little water damage. However, the real threat to […]
Spire of Notre-Dame de Paris to be Rebuilt According to 19th Century Design
“Notre-Dame spire must be rebuilt as it was in the 19th Century” On Thursday, July 9, 2020, the chief architects of Historical Monuments, Philippe Villeneuve, Rémi Fromont and Pascal Prunet presented restoration plans for Notre-Dame Cathedral to the National Commission for Heritage and Architecture (CNPA), the advisory council that handles important restoration projects in France. […]
June 2020 Updates: Notre-Dame Reconstruction Resumes
Notre-Dame Reconstruction Resumes Notre-Dame reconstruction work ceased in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, with the decline of the virus and the gradual reopening of Paris, France and Europe in general, work is slowly starting up again on Notre-Dame Cathedral. After a three-month hiatus, Notre-Dame reconstruction work resumed June 8. This renewed phase of […]
Notre-Dame Cathedral Statues Removed for Restoration
Notre-Dame Cathedral Statues were safely and successfully removed from the cathedral’s spire! April 11, 2019 marked a big occasion: the huge Notre-Dame Cathedral statues that adorn the spire were removed. The statues consist of a copper sheathing attached to an internal iron structure. These materials and techniques were chosen for their greater lightness and ease […]