Paris 2025 -- Notre Dame

Notre Dame in flames in 2019 was a tragedy that stopped the world. Here was an enduring monument of art, faith, and generations of human labor dating back to the 12th century. It had survived two World Wars. To lose it would sear our collective soul. We all held our breath as experts assessed the damage. Recovery would require a miracle. The miracle arrived in the form of donations and the skills of master craftspeople. The French people were determined. Notre Dame would not only return, but be conserved and protected to be cherished by generations to come.   

Like many others, I enjoy the tradition of a visit to Notre Dame when I'm in Paris. Another longtime tradition in Paris was visitors and lovers leaving a token of their devotion by placing padlocks on the fence rails of Paris bridges. One bridge became so overwhelmed with locks the railings were threatened with collapse. Putting locks on bridges is banned now... but I saw on this trip that the tradition has transitioned to putting locks on fences near Notre Dame. Love one another is the lesson that endures.

When I last saw Notre Dame in 2020, she was shrouded by fences. They were covered in infographics detailing her damage and the reconstruction efforts. https://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2020/02/paris-2020-notre-dame-and-oldest-tree.html

Notre Dame re-opened to the public in time for the Olympics in the summer of 2024. Demand to see her was so great, you had to pre-order (free) tickets online for a timed admission. Even with these organization efforts, the lines were long. Demand is still great, and renovations are still ongoing, but the crowds are more manageable now. There are helpful uniformed greeters at the entrance. (A welcome change from years past when pickpockets and professional "beggars" preyed on tourists who flocked around the front doors). The entrance has two lines .... one for free general admission without ticket, and one line for ticket holders. The picture below shows the general admission line with about a 5 minute wait.

I saw Notre Dame several times during this trip to Paris. Most times, the entrance line moved quickly and wasn't that long. The exception was the weekends... especially Sundays. 

Notre Dame prior to this renovation was always impressive. But high demand to accommodate tourists, and lack of funds for maintenance, had burdened Notre Dame with a patina of age and neglect. Notre Dame today is radiant. 

We can experience this gathering place in a condition close to how its earliest pilgrims marveled at it. Just inside the main entrance, the crowd stops and stares..

Here's the reverse shot of what they see...

The walls and soaring ceilings evoke a "powerwashed" level of cleaning. Gone are the centuries of grime that had darkened the interior..

The conservation process has made all the artifacts seem more reverent. 

The colors of the stained glass...

the texture of the carvings... 

the cool glow of the sculptures all resonate. 

This sacred space from medieval eras has been revived and protected. Thanks to contemporary efforts by many hands of many faiths (and considerable expense). It's a blessing to behold. I lit a candle for friends and family... and in thanks for Notre Dame's resplendent return.

(More photos of Notre Dame's exterior, and surrounding areas, will be added here. Updates to Notre Dame's exterior include a heavily armed, military presence. Something alarming and reassuring at the same time.)