CAKE BUNNY: The Friends of Notre Dame de Paris

Shelley Murray

Info 259

Preservation Management

3/29/2022

2019 Notre Dame Cathedral Fire

Late in the day on April 15th, 2019, a fire broke out beneath the roof of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France. The New York Times reported, “within moments, tiny bits of white smoke started rising from the spire — which, at 295 feet, was the highest part of the cathedral” (Nossiter & Breeden, 2019). The cathedral had been undergoing much-needed renovations, which unfortunately left hazardous substances in the open, including scaffolding and flammable materials. The fire sparked immediate headlines as the cathedral is an important French monument and tourist location, “tourists and residents alike came to a standstill, pulling out their phones to call their loved ones. Older Parisians began to cry, lamenting how their national treasure was quickly being lost” (Nossiter & Breeden, 2019). The cause of the fire is still up for speculation but now, years later, an inquiry into the fire has found that the cause may have been six electronic bells that were hung throughout the spire and roof. The cathedral's clergy had insisted on having bells chime, even during renovations, which went against safety regulations. Three medium-sized bells were put up in 2007 and three more in 2021. The temporary bells may have short-circuited, igniting the spire and roof. Investigators initially thought that sparks or heat must have come from the worker's tools, however after interviews with the Le Bras frere, the company that had been working on the spire, “confirmed that there was no heat source in the spire or the roof” (Thompson, 2021). Stating that, “nothing, no welding, no cutting, no grinding; I am positive” occurred, (Thompson, 2021). Efforts to combat the flames included using deluge guns at low pressure to not cause further damage to the cathedral. The integrity of the Notre Dame cathedral was at the forefront of staff and firefighters’ minds, even while fighting an increasingly dangerous blaze, leading responders not to use helicopters or aerial water-dropping because it could cause structural damage. With about 500 firefighters and numerous public servants working quickly and tirelessly the flames were under control by 11:00 pm but the cathedral was left with torched wood and a significant hole in its center.

Damage to the Notre Dame cathedral was concentrated in the center of the structure, affecting the spire, transept roof with ribbed vaulting, and high alter. The spire, which is also known as la fléche or arrow, was destroyed in the blaze. In a bit of luck, the 16 copper statues that normally surround the spire, had been removed 4 days prior for restoration. Rescuers were worried about the fire reaching the rose window but fortunately, the stained glass was spared. “Mr. Gallet, the fire chief, said firefighters were still rescuing artworks in the building, hours after the fire had started. The main risk, he said, was the smoke within the cathedral, and the fall of materials, including melting lead.” With not only the cathedral itself at risk but “also to the gargoyles that cover its walls and to the stained glass, particularly its “rose” windows,” (Nossiter & Breeden, 2019). First responders were able to rescue most artwork and relics including a linen fabric associated with Saint Louis, the Holy Crown of Thorns, and the cathedral's treasury. These relics were taken to Paris City Hall for safe keeping. In Smithsonian Magazine, Katz (2019), noted that four large 17th and 18th-century paintings depicting the apostles were partially damaged and a fragment of the Crown of Thorns and relics from two saints have been destroyed. The paintings will be taken to the Louvre to be “treated and restored” (Marshall et al, 2019).

Notre Dame Cathedral Damage. (2022). [Illustration]. NBC. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/notre-dame-fire-what-was-damaged-n995371

Three years later, restoration of the Notre Dame cathedral is still underway, with the French government intending to reopen to hold service by 2024. All restoration plans go through an advisory council with the National Commission for Heritage and Architecture making approvals. Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris is the official group and charity leading international fundraising efforts to rebuild and restore Notre-Dame cathedral. The Friends of Notre Dame de Paris have been working with “the Archdiocese of Paris, the Foundation Notre-Dame in France, and with the Public Agency in charge of the preservation and the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris” (Friends of Notre Dame de Paris, 2021).

In 2019 the main goal was to protect staff during clean-up and safeguard against any further damage. Friends of Notre Dame de Paris included this safety work as the most important: “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 and removing burnt and melted scaffolding that had previously surrounded the spire” (2019). With scaffolding removed the cathedral has been placed under a sort of umbrella structure to protect against the elements and workers are starting to focus on other areas of the cathedral. For any damage to the rib vaults work is handled by stonemasons and “consists of applying plaster in the gaps and the exposed ends of the stones. For more fragile pieces of the vaults, plaster will be reinforced with fiberglass” (Friends of Notre Dame de Paris, 2021).

By November and December, two projects were completed: removing all burned scaffolding and the Grand Organ was dismantled and removed. This was completed about a month ahead of schedule. The Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris (2019) stated that “the Grand Organ’s pipes will now be taken for repair and extensive cleaning to remove lead dust that settled in the aftermath of the fire. The restoration work, organ reassembly, and tuning are projected to finish by April 2024”. With the interior of the cathedral cleared out of damaged scaffolding, new supports can be built to help protect the vault walls and provide much-needed support during restoration. Oak trees have already been selected and harvested for the spire and the section of the burnt transept roof. The iconic spire will be rebuilt, identical to the one designed in the 19th century by Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. Currently, the cathedral’s interior is being given a thorough cleaning. Friends of Notre Dame de Paris (2019) stated that “a thin layer of lead dust coated the cathedral’s interior in the aftermath of the fire.” Removing the lead dust is important for the worker's safety and to help conserve the integrity of the architectural elements. This painstaking work is done from the top of the interior walls to the bottom with tiny soft-bristled brushes. The dust is then vacuumed up using backpacks that the cleaners wear. “It is a meticulous and time-consuming process that requires the expertise of teams of stonemasons, sculpture and fine art restorers, locksmiths, ironworkers, and carpenters. This is also the first time that Notre-Dame Cathedral has been deep cleaned in this way!” (Friends of Notre Dame de Paris, 2022).

For Notre Dame’s interior, France’s National Heritage and Architecture Commission went over proposed plans to update and renovate the seating, lighting, lectern and guest facilities that had also been damaged from smoke, lead and water. Updates included more comfortable benches and having guests enter from a large door instead of side entrances. The chapels, however, will be restored to their original condition. Friends of Notre Dame de Paris stated that, “the chapels of Saint Ferdinand and Notre-Dame de Guadalupe, have already been completely restored.” With their restoration finishing in August, workers have “valuable insights on the best techniques for cleaning the paintings, stonework, and stained-glass windows in the cathedral” (2021).

Restoration work of Notre Dame has been very expensive, with the cost between 2019 and 2021 to be 165 million euros, (197 million dollars), and the final budget has yet to be determined. While funding is coming from the French government, donations are being accepted from all over the world. Most of that money went toward safety measures like stabilization and removing the burnt scaffolding. It should be noted that before the fire, the cathedral exterior and interior walls were in poor condition, hence the scaffolding. While the focus is on interior restorations, it is unclear if funds will be used on the cathedral's crumbling exterior. The website for Friends of Notre Dame cathedral accepts a few types of currency and has the option to donate once or monthly. A clever campaign that ran worldwide through the Friends of Notre Dame is an Adopt a Gargoyle program. Through a special gallery website, donors can track restoration progress on each artifact and donate to specific pieces that need help. For example, if you select the Gargoyle Phenex, you may choose to have your donation go towards his restoration. This clever idea sparked interest from all around the globe and is an interactive way to keep donors interested.

The 2019 fire at the Notre Dame cathedral was damaging to both the historic building and to the people of France. President Emmanuel Macron publicly stated, “the worst has been avoided even though the battle is not completely won,” (Nossiter & Breeden, 2019). While President Macron vowed that the cathedral will be rebuilt and gave a 5-year restoration deadline, it feels as though Notre Dame will take much longer. Throughout the restoration, craftsmen are still carefully and meticulously going over every inch of the cathedral interior removing dust and patching crumbling walls. Throughout clean up and restoration, the knowledge of skilled preservationists is being used to uphold the values of the cathedral and safely restore Notre Dame to its prior state of gothic glory. We can see the love that each person involved has for the cathedral. Hopefully we will hear bells (not electronic) ringing in the near future.