On April 16, 2019 we woke up and realized the fire of Notre Dame wasn’t just a bad dream, it had happened. Although, in the days following little pieces of good news began to appear. With a stroke of luck, the statues lining the ribs to the spire were removed just days before. The 12 statues of the Apostles and four figures of the Evangelists flew across the skyline of Paris on April 11, 2019. Each one weighed 500 pounds and to remove them their heads were detached and they were hoisted off the roof. The hollow statues constituted a metal structure that was covered with copper that had tarnished through the ages.
In just two years the statues were restored and placed in the Cité de l’Architecure & Patrimoine where you can still see them for a few more months. They stand alongside a fantastic exhibition dedicated to the restoration of our beloved Notre Dame. As the project progresses so does the exhibit, don’t miss it and then go again and again.
Listen to our 2nd episode in our monthly series dedicated to Notre Dame until there reopening on December 8, 2024.
Be sure to visit the Cité de l’Architecure & Patrimoine when you are next in Paris. Located at the Trocadero, just across from the Eiffel Tower it is open Wednesday - Monday 11 am - 7 pm, and Thursday 11 am - 9 pm.
However, don’t wait to explore, watch my video that shows you all these treasures of Notre Dame and more.
For more info and photos in the episode guide here
https://www.claudinehemingway.com/tours-of-paris
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