“Vandalism”: Outrage over plans to replace Notre Dame windows | outside

During a visit to the 13th-century cathedral this month, Macron announced that windows in six of the seven churches in the south aisle would be removed and replaced with contemporary stained glass windows chosen in a competition. The archbishop himself reportedly suggested the idea. New stained glass window designs will be selected through a competition.

Critics say that “change would destroy architectural harmony.” They want the six windows in question, which were not destroyed in the 2019 fire, to remain untouched.

The original windows were designed by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. In the 19th century, the architect also designed the tower in the middle of the cathedral, which collapsed during a fire.

Art historian Didier Reckner is one of the initiators of the petition. It is believed that the windows on the other side of Notre Dame are more suitable for the new design. Those windows were largely destroyed during the fire.

“It would also have a nice symbolic value. “In the north tower, the fire was the most threatening to the cathedral and the firefighters risked their lives to protect the monument,” Reckner told The Guardian. So the art historian suggests dedicating the new windows on that side to emergency workers.

A few hours after the fire, Macron said he supported a “contemporary gesture” in rebuilding the cathedral, and that building a new tower could be “innovative,” among other things. After fierce popular opposition, the president abandoned the idea. The new 96-metre tower, installed in November, looks identical to the one destroyed by fire.

Notre Dame Cathedral should be completely renovated next year. The reopening is scheduled for December 8, 2024.