The Cathédrale Notre-Dame dates back to the 12th century when construction began. It was made in Paris and has been under construction for 5 years since a fire in 2019. The cathedral’s reconstruction has cost over 700 million euros ( 737 million US dollars). The cathedral is over 800 years old and has proved to be an international landmark as it symbolizes the history and people of France. The cathedral had undergone many changes since it was finished in 1345 and was modified in the 18th and 19th centuries. The history of it starts in 1163 after Bishop Maurice de Sully conceived the plan around 1160. He wanted it to overlook many of France’s beautiful churches. The Gothic architecture style stands out. Being one of the oldest cathedrals, it has been an inspiration to many other cathedrals
This beautiful structure had memorable ups, however, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame has faced some ghastly downs. On April 15th, 2019 the Cathédrale Notre-Dame faced damage to crucial parts of its structure due to a horrifying fire. The Cathédrale was a significant historical landmark for the French so it was a devastating loss. Not knowing if reconstruction could begin any time soon, people pondered what would happen because of this landmark’s crucial role in history.
More than five years later, the news spread that the structure had returned on December 8th, 2024. Reports mention that about 2,000 people and many resources were involved in the reconstruction.
Many people are very excited about the cathedral’s reopening to see the renewed architecture. People wonder if workers have changed anything that has historical value. Even if they have, not everything in this structure is easy to replace. On Dec 7, 2024, the Cathédrale opened after 5 years of construction, since the fire destroyed the roof. Antoine Arnault a French businessman, and CEO of Christian Dior stated, “This extraordinary project highlighted the excellence of French know-how and the talent of nearly 2,000 architects, workers, and craftsmen of all trades.” There is no doubt that the Cathédrale is a remarkable work of art, that it’s amazing that even after 861 years, multiple wars, and numerous fires, nothing could bring down one of Frances’ greatest arts.
Work Cited
Stone, Alyssa, et al. “The Reopening of Notre Dame: What Role Has it Played in History?” Northeastern Global News, 6 December 2024, https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/12/06/notre-dame-reopening/. Accessed 17 December 2024.
