The day after the devastating fire at Notre Dame on April 15, 2019, Philippe Villeneuve entered the ruins of the cathedral with a heavy heart. The sight of smoke-filled air, collapsed spire, and charred beams left him in despair. “We had lost the framework, the roof, the spire, and three sections of the vault,” lamented Mr. Villeneuve, who had been the chief architect since 2013.
Despite the grim scene, President Emmanuel Macron had set an ambitious goal: to rebuild Notre Dame in just five years. “There was one major obstacle,” Mr. Villeneuve revealed in an interview with The Associated Press, “the deadline.”
Initially feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, Mr. Villeneuve was surprised to find a glimmer of hope amidst the destruction. As he surveyed the damage, he realized that all the stained-glass windows, the organ, furniture, and paintings had survived. “It was achievable,” he thought.
Mr. Macron’s decree galvanized efforts for what would become one of the most significant restoration projects in modern French history. The global outpouring of support led to donations nearing $1 billion.
However, the road to restoration was fraught with challenges. A lead contamination crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted work, while inclement weather further delayed progress.
Despite these setbacks, Mr. Villeneuve and his team persevered, working tirelessly to meet the ambitious timeline. He successfully advocated for the reopening date to coincide with Dec. 8, a significant Catholic holiday.
As the reopening date draws near, Mr. Villeneuve admits to feeling anxious. “I’m not calm at all. I’m completely stressed out,” he confessed. “This was about restoring the heart of France.”
Yet, amidst the anxiety, there are silver linings. The fire, while devastating, also revealed the cathedral’s hidden beauty. Many who have seen the restored interiors attest to their newfound splendor.
As Mr. Villeneuve walks through the reconstructed structure, he marvels at the seamless restoration work. The brilliance of the stone, the intricate wooden beams, and the newly restored spire all attest to the dedication and skill of the restoration team.
As Notre Dame prepares to open its doors once again, Mr. Villeneuve reflects on the arduous journey. “It’s been a long road, but seeing the cathedral restored to its former glory is truly rewarding,” he said.
After undergoing five years of restoration, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen its doors to the world in the presence of Emmanuel Macron and around fifty heads of state, including Donald Trump, who have been invited for the occasion. Photo: Getty Images for Notre-Dame de Paris
“That’s success,” Mr. Villeneuve said. “If I can make [cathedral visitors] doubt there was ever a fire, then I’ve erased the horror.”
While his restoration stayed true to the historical designs of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, Mr. Villeneuve found a personal way to leave his mark on Notre Dame. He opted for a bold tattoo running down his forearm, referring to himself as “Rock and Roll” for it.
His tattoo depicts Viollet-le-Duc’s original spire — the one that collapsed in the fire — instead of the newly restored version topped with the golden phoenix cum rooster. Another tattoo on his chest, inspired by the cathedral’s stained glass, forms a rosary design. “This wasn’t about me,” he said, “but I’ve left my mark in my own way.”
Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century spire, a faithful recreation of a medieval aesthetic, remains central to the restoration. “He was a genius,” Mr. Villeneuve praised the architect. “My role was to ensure that vision endured.”
Despite the remarkable precision of Notre Dame’s restoration, one question still hangs over Mr. Villeneuve: the cause of the fire, a perplexing mystery in France’s recent history. Authorities have yet to pinpoint the blaze’s origin, despite extensive investigation and speculation. The initial theories pointed to an electrical short circuit, possibly related to ongoing renovation work, but a definitive cause remains elusive.
The ongoing uncertainty weighs on Mr. Villeneuve as the cathedral approaches its reopening. The personal aspect is profound, especially since he was in charge when the fire erupted.
“It’s something that haunts you. Not the responsibility for the fire — I know very well that I bear no personal responsibility for it,” he explained. “At least, I think so.”
“But it bothers me not to know.”
Following the disaster, measures have been taken to safeguard Notre Dame’s future. Mr. Villeneuve and his team have implemented state-of-the-art fire safety systems in the cathedral to prevent a similar tragedy. The attic is now divided into three fire compartments — choir, transept, and nave — equipped with advanced thermal cameras, smoke detectors, and a revolutionary water-misting system. Unlike traditional sprinklers, this system releases a fine mist of water droplets designed to extinguish flames while minimizing damage to the delicate wood and stone.
“The mist saturates the air, reducing oxygen levels to smother fires without harming the wood or stone,” Mr. Villeneuve detailed. “These are the most advanced fire safety systems in any French cathedral. We had to learn from what happened. We owe it to the future.”
As Notre Dame stands proudly on the Seine’s banks, its spire once again reaching towards the Parisian sky, Mr. Villeneuve takes a moment of quiet pride, fielding questions and praise from passersby — relishing his newfound “celebrity” status. For Mr. Villeneuve, the journey — his life’s work as he nears retirement — has been as personal as it has been monumental.
“The cathedral burned, she collapsed, and I collapsed the same day,” he reflected, speaking of the monument with human emotion. “I gradually got back up as she got back up. As the scars began closing, I felt better. Now I feel ready to leave the hospital.”
He noted that the nation’s wounds are also healing as the reopening approaches. With an expected 15 million visitors annually — 3 million more than before the fire — Mr. Villeneuve’s impact continues to resonate, in both stone and spirit.
Published – December 07, 2024 11:14 am IST
