Inside the Cathedral
Most of the scaffolding was removed in the fall of 2023, enabling cleaning and restoration work to begin on the cathedral’s remaining decorative furnishings, mainly in the choir. Several cleaning and restoration operations on the decorations in this part of the cathedral, in particular the sculpted group of the Voeu de Louis XIII, the bronze angels and the wrought-iron railings that flank the choir.
Restoration of the Sanctuary Decor
The three components of the Voeu de Louis XIII were restored, most notably the Pietà by Nicolas Coustou, which stands in the center beneath the cross by Marc Couturier. Having actually begun the restoration just before the fire, these works were meticulously cleaned of soot and debris, and primed to preserve the marble sculptures. On either side of the high altar, framing the Voeu de Louis XIII, six bronze angel statues depict the instruments of the Passion. These sculptures by Antoine Vassé were cleaned and waxed to preserve the bronze.
Restoration of the Choir Chapel Murals
The mural paintings in the choir chapels, where cleaning had begun in 2021, are now back in the capable hands of the paint restorers for the final touches. The Saint Marcel chapel, containing the funerary monument of Monseigneur de Belloy, was the first to be completed. It was finally stripped of its protective canvas at the beginning of 2024. You can now admire all the work carried out by the restorers over the last few months, and rediscover the intricate motifs and intense colors envisioned by Viollet-le-Duc.
The Bells of Notre-Dame
Restoration of the 8 bronze bells in the North Tower, which were removed in July 2023, is almost complete. Restoration was carried out by the Cornille-Havard foundry in Villedieu-les-Poêles (Manche). Two of the bells, Marcel and Gabriel, which were particularly damaged. These bells were restored through a heat treatment, an alternative solution to recasting. The others, which had no major damages, were simply cleaned and refinished. Along with the Marie bourdon bell in the South Tower, these bells had been cast and installed in 2012-2013, to mark the cathedral’s 850th anniversary.
Bourdon bells are the largest and heaviest of all bells, and there are two in the South Tower: Emmanuel, dating from 1683, and Marie, from 2012. Since they were housed in the South Tower, they were spared from the fire, and their electromechanical systems only needed to be overhauled from the South Belfry, without removal.
Friends of Fondation de France is proud and honored to be one of the few organizations trusted by the French Government to fundraise for the restoration of Notre-Dame. We thank our American donors for their incredible outpouring of support for this beloved symbol of French culture and heritage.
© Romaric Toussaint All Credits
