“A shock of hope.”
President Macron
Introduction
Notre-Dame towers over the Parisian capital. The cathedral was first constructed between 1163 and 1345 and is widely seen as the finest example of Gothic architecture. It is a dedication to the Virgin Mary and houses some of the most critical and sacrosanct religious relics, such as the Crown of Thorns and a silver nail from the True Crown. A holy place that witnessed the French Revolution and Nazi occupation during World War II. A sacred place that Catholics flock to and somewhere that has been graced by Popes, Kings and Queens. Steeped in history, this French cathedral inspired a Victor Hugo novel and is a bastion of the Catholic Church. The ornate spires and magnificent stained glass windows. A religious building that contains a multitude of lead, stone and jaw-dropping architecture, crypts, copper statues and a magnificent organ.
Tragedy Strikes!
Yet in April 2019, a fire ripped through this Parisian cathedral. The fire destroyed a portion of the building and caused a momentary silence to this symbol of France. A restoration project that occurred between 1991 and 2000 was put in serious peril but President Macron signed off the money required to bring the cathedral back to its previous glory. A five-year restoration project that has brought Notre-Dame back from the precipice with an army of stone masons lovingly bringing back the full glory of its magnificent architecture. Clean and gleaming white walls adorn the cathedral and the stained glass now gleams in the French light of day. Described by Macron as “honey-coloured”. A metamorphosis of light that rains down on the blonde stone and chequered marble floor. The side chapels now show off paintings that are no longer laden with centuries of dust and dirt. Clear and magnifying their religious images. A project that was made easier by the courage of firefighters and the loving work of Jean-Louis Georgelin – a retired general who oversaw the reconstruction until his death last year. A man who tragically died after a fall in the Pyrénées at the age of 74. A project that allowed Notre-Dame to be reinvented. A metaphor for the life of the nation and a credit to the 2000 men and women who worked tirelessly night and day here. A shock of hope that had a happy ending. The Gothic spire was restored to its full glory and now towers again over the city. A masterpiece that is once again allowed to have its rightful place in the epicentre of Paris. It’ll open its doors to the public on 7 December.
