The Hôtel de Lille Saint Germain des Prés celebrates the re-enchantment of Notre Dame de Paris.
Categories : In the neighborhood, Event, published on : 11/29/24
Celebrated, Loved, and Admired Since the 12th Century, Notre Dame de Paris Once Again Reigns Supreme Under the Parisian Sky
On April 15, 2019, Parisians watched in horror as Notre Dame de Paris burned. The belfry, spire, and the “forest” of its wooden framework were engulfed in flames. Yet, miraculously, the treasures housed within the cathedral were saved.
Could Paris ever be the same without it?
Thanks to unprecedented donations totaling €846 million, artisans, artists, and craftspeople have spent the past five years tirelessly restoring and enhancing the damaged sections. Hundreds of skilled workers from across France and beyond—carpenters, stonemasons, blacksmiths, gilders, painters, tapestry restorers, stained-glass artisans, roofers—have joined forces to breathe new life into the cathedral.
The roof, stained-glass windows, flooring, and furnishings: after enduring such devastation, Notre Dame will once again make the heart of Paris beat with its enchanting presence.
Rising from the Ashes, a Beacon of Light and Life
As the iconic centerpiece of Île de la Cité, the cathedral is being reborn, vibrant with light and life. Welcoming 13 million visitors annually, this masterpiece of Gothic art has always been a must-see landmark in Paris. Its glowing stained-glass windows and immaculate stone folds catch the evening light, making it a sacred site and a living witness to Parisian history since the Middle Ages.
Centuries of Genius Revived in Five Years
Constructed over nearly two centuries, from 1163 to 1345, each era has left its mark on Notre Dame, making it a meeting point for faith and artistry. In 1831, Victor Hugo immortalized the cathedral with The Hunchback of Notre Dame, featuring the enchanting Esmeralda dancing on its forecourt.
Now, Notre Dame de Paris is coming back to life, deeply rooted in our memories and firmly present in our time.
The cathedral’s grandeur is being restored. In addition to the fully renovated roof, Viollet-le-Duc’s spire once again rises 96 meters into the sky. This massive restoration, the largest project in Europe, is a triumph.
The famous statue of the Virgin and Child, sculpted in the 14th century, has survived the fire unscathed and will soon reclaim its place as a symbol of the cathedral’s resilience.
A Contemporary Vision Inside a Timeless Monument
Inside, designers Guillaume Bardet and Ionna Vautrin have reimagined the furnishings and liturgical objects, creating seating and elements of worship in a simple yet profound and elegant style.
Eight contemporary artists, including Jean-Michel Alberola, Daniel Buren, Claire Tabouret, Philippe Parreno, Yan Pei-Ming, Christine Safa, Gérard Traquandi, and Flavie Vincent-Petit, are competing to design modern stained-glass windows in collaboration with specialized workshops.
Fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac has created all the ceremonial garments and liturgical ornaments for the reopening celebrations.
“My work focuses on chromatic rhythm, the power of gold emerging from the unity of the celebrants, and the details that accompany their gestures. Color, born of light, is omnipresent on the white vestments, echoing the stained-glass windows reflected on the cathedral walls. I thought about the emotion, the visitor’s experience, and the immersion into this historic event—the rebirth of Notre Dame—as well as inspiring images for a generation seeking fraternity, meaning, and beauty.”
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac
A Renaissance Watched Passionately by Hôtel de Lille
Hôtel de Lille, located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, shares a deep emotional connection with Notre Dame. The fire of April 15, 2019, moved Parisians and the world to tears, igniting a collective passion to preserve this Gothic jewel.
In March 2022, Colombe de La Taille had the pleasure of interviewing Jean Rabasse, the set designer for Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film Notre-Dame brûle. This poignant conversation allowed Hôtel de Lille to highlight the symbolic intensity and emotional resonance of this iconic site, which sits at the crossroads of history and the collective imagination.
At Hôtel de Lille, this interview stands as a vibrant tribute to everyone who has contributed to the resurrection of this magnificent edifice.
Colombe de La Taille
