-
Roadworthy CT tests expected to change for car owners in France in January 2025
Potential frauds over pollution emissions are being targeted, reports car magazine Auto Plus
-
New immigration bill looms in France: what could it change?
Interior Minister is immigration hardliner known for right-wing views
-
Car hits 12 boars on motorway in Normandy: three people injured
Road closed for nearly an hour after incident
Notre-Dame architect pledges to ‘heal’ Paris cathedral
The architect in charge of the stricken Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris has pledged to “heal” the building from its “nightmare suffering”, after visiting the site for the first time since the fire disaster on April 15.
Architect-in-chief Philippe Villeneuve was able to enter the cathedral for the first time this week, after its access had been forbidden in the wake of the devastating accidental fire that destroyed the spire and most of the roof.
Mr Villeneuve made the visit to ascertain the extent of the damage and seek to begin plans to rebuild the ravaged monument.
His first reaction to the destruction - which now includes multiple piles of rubble, and a lingering smell of burning - appeared severe. He said: “This is a huge injury, a terrible suffering, such a bewildering nightmare.
“Straight away, I wanted to get as close as possible to the cathedral to try to understand and to try to take part in this rescue operation.”
The architect explained that the clear-up and rebuilding proceedings would be slow and careful, and would need to be done bit by bit, starting with the most urgent priorities first.
He said: “The most important thing is to safeguard the weakest elements; the vaults, and the pieces under canvas. There are bits of wood that are at risk of falling, and it is very dangerous. People should not go in.”
The cathedral is closed to the public, and under continued surveillance. Builders have been working to secure the structure to limit any further damage and prepare it for eventual reconstruction plans.
1844 Viollet-le-Duc won the design competition for Notre Dame following some revolutionary iconoclasm. Spire, bell tower structure, sculptures, doorways, pediments, gargoyles, transept&treasury so scholarly invented we see them as original. No doubt it can be done again & again.. pic.twitter.com/aRJp6ILenV
— Groupwork (@Groupwork_arch) April 22, 2019
Mr Villeneuve said: “We must know how the monument behaves, so we can re-stabilise it, recharge it, and put the fundamental elements back in place. The cathedral is sick, we have diagnosed the need for significant surgical intervention, now, as surgeons, we will heal her.”
Speaking of the famous spire, which collapsed during the fire, Mr Villeneuve said: “Everyone agrees that the spire was a masterpiece by [designer] Viollet-le-Duc, and I agree...but I remind you that we saved the bronze statues and we saved the spire topper. So for me it’s obvious: we should restore it.”
It has been estimated that the rebuilding effort will take at least five years, and cost hundreds of millions - if not billions - of euros.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France