Paris officials to replace Notre-Dame stained glass

French authorities have decided to replace six surviving 19th-century stained-glass windows of Notre-Dame Cathedral with new ones created by contemporary artist Claire Tabouret. The original windows, designed by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, were unharmed in the 2019 fire, but are now being replaced with Tabouret's works depicting Black figures. Despite public protests and initial objections from experts, the project has been approved and the replacement will take place in the coming months.

Protesters have expressed concerns about altering historical heritage and compromising the cathedral's authenticity, but officials stated that the new stained-glass windows will harmonize with the preservation of the historical atmosphere. The city administration clarified that the project aims to reflect modern diversity and demonstrates a commitment to inclusion.

Context

The 2019 cathedral fire destroyed most of the stained-glass windows, but six highly praised preserved 18th-century ones were saved.