NOTRE DAME, 2019 Fire And Restoration

As you are surely aware, on the evening of April 15, 2019, a devastating fire, most likely caused by a short circuit, severely damaged the Notre Dame Cathedral, causing the collapse of the central spire and the roof. Fortunately, the quick response of emergency services made it possible to save precious relics and works of art, although they suffered damage.

The complex reconstruction project, officially launched in 2021, aimed primarily to preserve as much as possible the appearance of the structures as they were before the disaster, using materials and methods inspired by the original designs of Viollet-le-Duc, the architect who designed the spire in the mid-19th century.

The spire, standing 96 meters tall, and the roof were faithfully reconstructed using high-quality oak wood, requiring about 2,000 trees.
The masonry sections of the attic that had collapsed were replaced with materials identical to the originals, while damaged sections were reinforced using modern techniques.

Additionally, the stained glass windows and limestone were restored and cleaned using gentle methods to restore the building’s original brightness.
To prevent future fires, advanced fire protection systems have been introduced, including automatic mist systems, thermal cameras, and structural compartmentalization to limit the spread of flames.

Despite the technical success of the restoration, there has been some controversy over the current appearance of the cathedral, particularly regarding the interior.
For instance, the removal of centuries-old soot has made the stones significantly lighter and brighter. Some critics have deemed this change excessive, lamenting the loss of the historical charm imparted by the patina of time.
The use of modern lighting systems has also generated mixed opinions. While many appreciate the scenographic effect, others feel that the original spiritual atmosphere has been partially compromised.

Moreover, although many artistic and sacred elements have been reinstated in their original locations, safety requirements and the need to protect relics have led to slight variations in the interior layout. For example, relics such as the Crown of Thorns have been placed in more secure and enhanced display systems.

Nevertheless, to the delight of Parisians and tourists from around the world, the cathedral finally reopened its doors on December 8, 2024, after five years of restoration. This allows visitors to judge for themselves the quality of the restoration work, an extraordinary example of balancing the preservation of the past with innovation for the future.

Fun fact: During the Notre Dame fire, a key role was played by a ground vehicle called Colossus, developed by the French company Shark Robotics. This is a tracked robot designed to operate in extreme environments, capable of directing water jets to critical areas to cool structures from within during a fire. Equipped with thermal cameras and remotely controlled, it can provide real-time images and data, improving emergency management.