Notre Dame Cathedral is Back

When I learned that the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris was in flames in 2019, I burst into tears. I had only visited once, and I have never lived in Paris. Yet somehow, when the spire fell and the extent of the damage became clear, it felt like a grave personal loss. When I heard the aggressive 5-year timeline for the renovation and restoration, I was skeptical. And secretly hopeful that somehow it might come to pass, and that someday I might see it again.

The first time I visited Notre Dame was with my late husband and our three kids in 2011. Our twins were young enough to be more interested in chasing pigeons in the forecourt of the cathedral than in listening to our tour guide. But our oldest son was as keen as I was to learn all there was to know. The flying buttresses, the gargoyles, the hidden symbols – we were there for all of it.

So when I happened to be in Paris this spring, and realized that I could visit the newly reopened cathedral, I was thrilled. I visited with three friends and a guide on a bright early spring morning. And felt the same wonder and awe that I felt the first time.

To be honest, I don’t recall many details of what the interior looked like before.

However, I can report that it is a stunning place now: to worship, to learn history, to study architecture. To light a candle for a loved one.

Notre Dame means many things to us: it is a symbol of Paris, of the Catholic Church, of the Middle Ages. The home of Quasimodo and countless pigeons. A landmark and a beacon.

It feels so good to know that it is back.

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