On April 15, 2019, a devastating fire broke out in the attic of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, quickly engulfing the medieval wooden roof and bringing down the spire that had long defined the city’s skyline. For hours, firefighters battled the blaze, managing to save the main stone structure, the rose windows, and priceless relics like the Crown of Thorns.
The sight of flames pouring from the roof shocked the world, but it also brought an extraordinary response of solidarity and financial pledges for restoration. Though the cause was never firmly established, the fire was ruled accidental, likely linked to renovation work underway at the time. After years of careful reconstruction, the cathedral reopened in December 2024, restored as both a place of worship and a symbol of resilience.
I wanted to see the Cathedral in its restored glory. We’d visited many times before and I was anxious to return for one more visit. I didn’t know what to expect but I was hopeful it would be clean and extraordinary and I wasn’t disappointed.
The restoration relied on traditional craftsmanship paired with modern precision. Master carpenters rebuilt the medieval oak framework of the roof and spire using centuries-old joinery methods, while stonecutters, glassmakers, and metalworkers restored damaged masonry, stained glass, and decorative copper details with meticulous handwork. At the same time, laser scanning, digital modeling, and advanced safety measures ensured historical accuracy and structural stability for the future.
Unlike the old days, we had to get in a long, serpentine queue. It was about 20 minutes before we passed through security and finally entered the church. People, people everywhere; the place was overwhelmed with people all wanting a glimpse of the restorations.
Lets start our visit with this photo looking down the main aisle toward the altar.
Look at the walls and ceiling, how pristine and white they are, cleaned of the smoke of the millions of candles lit over the centuries. The people in the pews are only a handful of those in the building. Look at the colors reflected on the left-side wall; light flowing through the stained-glass windows. The side aisles were packed with visitors making it tough to stroll around and picture taking was equally difficult. But still, I managed; I did my best.
Let’s start with this sculpture of the Virgin and Child.
We started on the left-side aisle, walking from the back in the direction of the altar when we came upon this statue.
This painting is “The Annunciation” by Claude-Guy Hallé which was painted in 1717. The work, which explodes with color and light, is a monumental oil on canvas commissioned for Notre-Dame’s choir in 1715–1717. It belongs to the Louvre’s collection (inv. MI 311) and is on long-term loan to Notre-Dame; it was recently restored and re-hung in the cathedral during the current restoration campaign.
This is the old Baptismal font. It has been replaced with a new font.
Here is the new, modern baptismal font.
The chandeliers, bring sparkle and light to the environment.
I really like this photo of the chandler with the paintings in the background beyond the arch.
Moving on, a rose window.
Here’s a close-up of the windows underneath. Don’t forget that the windows in a Gothic Cathedral were intended to tell biblical stories.
Then we came to the choir. In a Gothic cathedral, the choir was where the clergy and monks gathered to sing the daily prayers and carry out the liturgy. It sits between the nave, where the people were, and the sanctuary with the main altar, serving as a kind of bridge between the two. The space itself often had finely carved wooden stalls and might be enclosed by a screen, giving it a distinct identity. The chanting and music that rose from the choir carried beautifully through the stone vaults, filling the whole church. More than just a physical space, it symbolized the voice of the Church praying for everyone. And the carvings in Notre Dame are exquisite.
Take a look; the carving on the lower left is just one more artist’s concept of the Last Supper. And remember, everything tells a story.
I know, it’s a photo of a floor but what a photo. It reflects the colors of the stained glass windows high above; windows spreading light and color everywhere.
Saint George slaying the dragon. According to the tale, a dragon was terrorizing a city, demanding daily sacrifices of sheep and eventually young maidens. When the king’s own daughter was chosen, St. George, a Christian knight, appeared. He confronted the dragon, made the sign of the cross, and charged with his lance, wounding the beast. Leading it into the city, he promised to kill it if the townspeople converted to Christianity. After they agreed and were baptized, George slew the dragon, saving the princess and the people.
The legend spread widely in the Middle Ages, becoming a symbol of good triumphing over evil, faith conquering fear, and Christian courage protecting the innocent. St. George’s dragon fight was so iconic that he became one of the most venerated warrior-saints in Christendom, and the story still inspires art, literature, and heraldry today.
This photo is really busy with the window in back, the lovely wall behind St. George and the paintings on easels in front of the sculpture. Still, I like it.
When the fire swept through Notre Dame Cathedral in April 2019, much of the wooden roof and spire collapsed, but the large golden cross at the high altar in the choir area survived. This cross, designed by the French sculptor Marc Couturier in the 1990s, stands behind the altar with the Pietà statue of the Virgin Mary holding Christ. Photographs taken just after the fire showed the gleaming cross shining in the smoke and rubble, quickly becoming a powerful symbol of hope and resilience.
Then we came upon the Tomb of Claude-Henry, Count of Harcourt. It was created at the request of his widow by sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle. It shows the count emerging from his tomb surrounded by Death, his guardian angel and his grieving wife. Look at the statue of death behind him, holding a sand dial, counting down the time.
Here’s a closer look at Death!
At the very top of Notre Dame’s spire, before the 2019 fire, there was a bronze rooster weathervane known as le coq. It wasn’t just decoration—it was a religious symbol meant to recall the rooster that crowed when Peter denied Christ, a reminder of vigilance and repentance.
Inside the rooster were three relics sealed in 1935: a fragment of the Crown of Thorns, and relics of Saint Denis (patron saint of Paris) and Saint Geneviève (patron saint of the city). The idea was that the rooster acted as a spiritual lightning rod, protecting the cathedral and the faithful.
When the spire collapsed during the fire, it was feared lost forever. But the next day, to everyone’s surprise, the rooster was found dented and damaged among the rubble, yet still intact—another symbol of survival, like the golden cross at the altar. It is on display and here it is.
As we worked our way around I managed to snap this photo. Remember, the Cathedral is primarily a place of prayer and reflection.
The organ in front of another rose window on the left and arches and stained glass on the right. In this second photo take a look at the modern stained glass on the extreme left in the background.
Arches, pillars and windows.
Behind the altar in the back of the nave.
A couple of photos I like, the one on the left for the reflected color and the one on the right for the composition.
The Crown of Thorns is believed to have been placed on Christ’s head during the Crucifixion and is one of the most revered relics in Christianity. It has been housed in Paris since the 13th century.
After the 2019 Notre-Dame fire, it was safeguarded and later returned to the cathedral with a new reliquary unveiled in 2024. Designed by Sylvain Dubuisson, this modern shrine features a gilded central disk surrounded by 396 hand-crafted glass blocks that catch and reflect light, creating a luminous halo effect. Behind the glowing façade, the Crown itself rests in a crystal case, set within a blue niche, blending ancient devotion with contemporary artistry. Unfortunately, it was not on display while we were there.
And now, before we leave the sanctuary and head outside, two pictures of the chapel and reliquary where the Crown of Thorns is displayed. The first photo is busy with a lot going on. I like the composition; guess there are a number of photos of which I like the composition. In this its the pillars, windows, sculpture, ceiling and the reliquary. The second photo, one of my favorites, is of a solitary lady, lost in her thoughts.
Outside. Look how pristine the exterior is.
Here is a photo of JoAnn and our guide Patricia. She was really nice and very knowledgeable. In fact, she is a volunteer at the Cathedral and was able to provide us with an insider’s glimpse to the place. Born in England, she has spent most of her life in France but never lost her English accent.
Here are a couple of shots of the Cathedral from the outside. In the first photo Patricia and JoAnn are looking at pictures showing the restoration efforts of the numerous tradesmen who brought the Cathedral back to life. Note the scaffolding in the background. The work is still ongoing but nearing completion.
In this photo you can see the wood work in the arch of the flying buttress. The wood supports the restorative work and will eventually be removed. The work, as much as possible, replicated the methods used when the Cathedral was originally constructed.
We went for a cold drink with Patrica just outside of the Cathedral. We thought that after two plus hours enjoying the sanctuary that we were entitled to a cold beverage and we were delighted that she had a few more minutes to share with us. This was the view that the three of us enjoyed.
Goodbye Notre Dame. We are so very happy to have had this time with you. Was that a rooster on your spire or a phoenix?