PARIS (AP) — The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which experienced a devastating fire in 2019 that silenced its historic bells, is set to resonate with new sounds once again.
On Thursday, the Gothic masterpiece welcomed three new bells, including one that previously rang at the Stade de France during the recent Paris Olympic Games.
The Olympic bell, a gift from the Paris 2024 organizing committee, will be joined by two smaller bells, named Chiara and Carlos. These bells are set to be installed above the altar, where they will chime during Mass, marking a significant progression in the cathedral’s meticulous restoration and modernization efforts ahead of its reopening on December 8.
Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, the rector of Notre Dame, expressed his excitement about the arrival of the new bells during a special ceremony. “What a joy it is,” he stated. “At the most important moments of the Mass, these bells will ring, just as they did when victors celebrated their triumphs.”
The Olympic bell, which instilled emotion throughout the games, was rung by track and field champions. It features the inscription “Paris 2024,” while the other two bells display a circular emblem that merges the design of the cathedral’s famous rose window with a monstrance, a significant religious item within Notre Dame.
Crafted by the prestigious Cornille Havard foundry located in Villedieu-les-Poêles, Normandy, these bells represent France’s rich tradition of bell-making.
The arrival of the bells is a key milestone in the cathedral’s restoration journey, which has involved over 250 companies and numerous skilled craftsmen. The new bells are intended to enhance the daily soundscape of Notre Dame, which has been a cultural landmark for 861 years and was immortalized by Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
In a momentous ceremony, Dumas consecrated the bells with holy water and a branch. Together with Tony Estanguet, head of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, he struck the bells with a wooden mallet to commemorate the event. “What a powerful symbol it is to see this second life given to the Paris 2024 bell, which brought us so much emotion during the Games,” Estanguet remarked.
The new bells are set to replace three that were lost when the cathedral’s 19th-century spire collapsed during the fire that ravaged its rafters and roof. Positioned differently within the cathedral, the new bells will enhance the ambiance of this historic site.
Alongside these new additions, eight historic bells from the cathedral’s north tower were reinstalled in September after undergoing restoration. These bells—Gabriel, Anne-Geneviève, Denis, Marcel, Étienne, Benoît-Joseph, Maurice, and Jean-Marie—were originally cast in 2013 to commemorate Notre Dame’s 850th anniversary. Fortunately, the cathedral’s two larger bells, which remained unharmed in the south tower, still stand proudly.
Moreover, a golden rooster, redesigned by chief architect Philippe Villeneuve, now adorns the newly conceived spire. This weather vane, resembling a phoenix with flames licking its wings, serves as a symbol of hope and renewal, beautifully illustrating the blend of Notre Dame’s ancient spirit with contemporary artistry.
