Rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral
On April 15, 2019, the world watched in horror as Notre-Dame Cathedral burned. Almost as quickly as the fire was extinguished, there was a huge international outpouring of support and pledges to rebuild Notre-Dame.
Before reconstruction efforts could begin, initial assessments were carried out to examine the extent of the damage.
Then came the Safety Phase, which began in the summer of 2019, to secure the structure of the cathedral and prevent further damage.
Safety works included:
- Installing a tarp above the vaults to protect from rain
- Lead decontamination
- Fortifying the north, south and west gables, especially to protect the 3 large rose windows
- Fortifying the most damaged pillars of the nave
- Reinforcing the flying buttresses
- Wrapping and protecting the gargoyles and other sculptural elements of the north and south towers
- Removing burnt and melted scaffolding that had previously surrounded the spire
Damage Report
The fire destroyed the spire along with the majority of the roof and “the forest”, as the lattice of ancient wooden beams in the attic was known.
The walls of the nave, choir and two transepts suffered severe water damage and were no longer structurally sound.
The north tower belfry is partially burnt, but fortunately the bells are still in place.
Notre-Dame Cathedral’s famous organ was saved, but remains in critical condition due to water damage and lead that melted from the roof during the blaze.
You made the Safety Phase possible.
10,500 Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris donors in the US and in more than 50 countries outside of France raised $10.6 million in 2019.
Together, we still have more work to do to rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Restore Notre-Dame de Paris
Help restore Notre-Dame – this jewel of Gothic architecture – to her original splendor.
Following the rebuilding phase, restoration works will address critical issues that existed before the 2019 fire. Once the reconstruction and restoration works are finished, Notre-Dame Cathedral will need our protection to ensure that she remains beautiful, safe and open to the public for generations of visitors to experience and enjoy.
Read more about Notre-Dame Restoration work before and after the fire:
Notre-Dame de Paris: Restoration Work on the Grand Organ Begins Today! [2020]
Notre-Dame Cathedral’s Statues Removed for Restoration [2019]
Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris hosts dinners to “Save Notre-Dame de Paris”[2018]