Notre-Dame's New Windows Spark Fierce Debate

Seven and a half years after the devastating fire, Notre-Dame Cathedral's restoration is nearing a significant milestone with the upcoming installation of six new stained-glass windows. French artist Claire Tabouret has designed contemporary pieces depicting Pentecost to replace the original 19th-century windows on the cathedral's south nave. This decision has ignited fierce debate, with preservation groups arguing it violates heritage laws and some 300,000 people signing petitions against the change.

The new windows are nearly complete and scheduled for installation by the end of 2026. Officials overseeing the restoration express cautious optimism that the public will eventually embrace the contemporary addition, noting past instances where new additions were initially met with criticism. The windows are being crafted at Atelier Simon-Marq in Reims, a glassmaking workshop founded in 1640, now housed within a mid-century modern church, symbolizing a blend of old and new.

Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris suggested the Pentecost theme and proposed the replacement idea to President Emmanuel Macron. After an international competition, Tabouret's design was selected. Her work, which includes depictions of landscapes and religious processions in a modern style, has been met with some positive reception from a recent exhibition of her sketches. The original 19th-century windows will be restored and displayed elsewhere.

Tabouret acknowledges that not everyone will be pleased but emphasizes the cathedral's history of embracing transformations. She dismisses claims that her work erases Eugène Viollet-le-Duc's legacy, noting his spire was faithfully rebuilt. The hope is that these new windows, symbolizing continuity and adaptation, will become a cherished part of Notre-Dame's enduring story.