As Cleanup Continues, Notre Dame Cathedral Has Only 50% Chance of Being Saved

The interior of Notre Dame before the fire

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris still has only a 50% chance of being saved following the April 2019 fire that left a gaping hole in the nave.

The rector of the cathedral, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, told the Associated Press on Christmas Eve that the cathedral “is not out of danger,” and that there is also a 50% chance that scaffolding could fall down onto the cathedral’s vaults. The scaffolding was in place at the time of the fire and some of it was damaged by the blaze.

Restoration of the cathedral is not slated to begin until 2021 and, if all goes well, Notre Dame could welcome visitors as early as 2024, although the work would not be fully completed at that point.

This year marks the second time in its history that the cathedral could not host Christmas services.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1160 and it was largely completed by 1260.  The cathedral was undergoing a major renovation project at the time of the fire, which destroyed its roof and collapsed its famous spire, which had been added in 1860, after the French Revolution.  While at first it looked as if the 850-year-old landmark might not survive, firefighters acted quickly to save it.

Notre Dame remains standing today because its twin bell towers were kept from destruction.  In addition to the stone bell towers, the cathedral’s trio of round stained-glass windows survived the blaze, including the famous South Rose window, donated by LouisIX in 1260.  The cathedral’s 8,000-pipe Great Organ sustained repairable damage and also survived.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)