Do you remember the traumatic fire that nearly destroyed the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France?

By Darla McCammon

Do you remember the traumatic fire that nearly destroyed the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France?  We covered it for several columns in 2019 when it occurred.  I decided to go back and investigate the progress (or lack thereof) and report my findings to you.

On reconstruction, it turns out that French President Emmanuel Macron had initially put a wrench into the wishes of the masses who loved Notre Dame Cathedral by supporting a far different design than the original that burned.  He wanted to radically change this 850-year-old world-famous structure into something contemporary and told the media “I want to rebuild the cathedral even more beautifully, and I want it to be finished within five years.”  He met a wall of resistance.  The French citizenry loved the old, original cathedral.  In fact, it was reported that more visitors traveled each year to see Notre Dame than visited the Eiffel Tower. So, like most politicians, Macron backed off from losing all those votes and the decision was made to bring it back exactly as it had been before.  His decision may also have been a result of knowing The French National Assembly was passing a law in which Notre Dame was to be redone in such a way as to “preserve the historic, artistic and architectural interest of the monument.” Macron was not stupid.  He bowed to the citizens and the Assembly.  Macron, in this battle had not counted on another unexpected deterrent—Covid.   

An updated view of the reconstruction efforts.

No one in France, of course, could have predicted the additional problems that would rain down on them with the catastrophic deadliness of Covid.  This has caused the project to close completely for three months and to partially resume last June.  Macron’s five-year estimate seems to be a bit unreachable at this point.  Other impediments to the reconstruction have been lack of protection for the workers due to the unstable debris overhead.( the heavy oak and lead roof, wooden vaulted ceiling and scaffolding from the unfinished restoration that had been underway before the fire) If that weren’t bad enough, in an article by Nicole Gelinas in the New York Post, “The fire transformed 400 tons of solid lead into dust—four times more lead, on environmental group points out, than France emits in a year.”  Many schools in the area along with summer camps and daycare facilities had dangerous levels of lead requiring Haz-mat specialists to keep the children, workers and community safe from the dangerous lead poisoning. 

Back In 1859 a beautiful spire rising over 300 ft into the sky was added to Notre Dame by famous architect Viollet-le-Duc.  Some discussion was held over recreating the spire which had collapsed in the fire. In the end, the spire will be, according to the French Senate, faithful to Notre Dame’s “last known visual state”.

Just before Christmas 2020, a large secondary project was completed by removing all of the burned roof scaffolding overhead (containing 400 tons of lead) that threatened to collapse and bring more harm to the structure, including more danger to the workers below.  This removal allowed interior work to begin in earnest.  A recent view shows construction to date.  We will continue to monitor the progress of this artistic relic as it is rebuilt with a look at what has happened to so many of the precious paintings and art and other artifacts that were, for the most part, salvaged without damage.  

So saddened recently by the death of Nancy Adams.  Such a warm, sweet person with a gracious air and a winning smile.  We will miss her.

Lastly, If you would like to be considered as one of our exhibiting artists please drop me a note at [email protected] with a bit of your biography and your contact information. Reminder: The Shewman exhibit is currently open at Lakeland Art Gallery. Wed-Sat 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.