Paris' iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral is preparing to unveil a new set of stained glass windows as part of its continuing restoration following the devastating 2019 fire, with the project reigniting debate over how historic landmarks should balance preservation with modern artistic contributions.
Although the cathedral officially reopened in 2024 after a nearly $900 million reconstruction, restoration work has continued to strengthen both its structural and aesthetic integrity. The latest phase focuses on replacing six 19th-century stained glass panels that survived the fire undamaged, a decision that has drawn criticism from heritage advocates, as French RFI highlights.
The new windows are expected to be completed in September before being installed in October and November, allowing them to be unveiled in December.
“They will be fitted in October-November so that everything is ready for an unveiling in December,” Philippe Jost, chairman of the public body Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, told French media.
The six new panels were recently displayed at Paris' Grand Palais exhibition hall before being transferred for final preparations ahead of installation.
The project has divided public opinion. After France's Ministry of Culture announced plans to replace the existing windows, more than 300,000 people signed a petition opposing the move. Critics, including France's National Heritage Commission, argue that replacing intact historic glass conflicts with international heritage conservation principles.
Supporters, however, contend that the new artwork reflects Notre-Dame's long history of evolving through successive generations of artists and architects.
Dynamic history
The replacement windows were designed by artist Claire Tabouret in collaboration with the Reims-based glassmaking studio Simon-Marq. Each of the six panels illustrates a verse from the Bible relating to Pentecost, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit—a theme selected by the Archdiocese of Paris.
Tabouret said the biblical account was chosen because it describes the appearance of “tongues of fire,” creating a symbolic connection with the blaze that severely damaged the cathedral in 2019.
“This project truly fits into the history of the cathedral,” Jost said, noting that “throughout the centuries and for more than 860 years, [Notre-Dame] has always seen contributions from different eras.
Supporters of the project also point out that the 19th-century windows currently being replaced were themselves later additions to the medieval cathedral. The architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who oversaw Notre-Dame's extensive 19th-century restoration and commissioned the existing windows, introduced numerous architectural and artistic changes during his own reconstruction campaign.
“With this project, we are in service to the cathedral,” Tabouret said following a visit to the workshop where the windows were produced.
Rather than being discarded, the six removed windows will undergo restoration after asbestos removal work currently taking place at the foot of the cathedral.
According to Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, four of the panels will eventually be displayed at the Château de Pierrefonds, the medieval castle restored by Viollet-le-Duc north of Paris, while the remaining two will be exhibited at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine in Paris.
By Nazrin Sadigova
