In a month, on December 7 and 8, 2024, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen for visitors and worshipers, five years after it was devastated by fire. Beyond being an emblematic (religious and historical) monument of Paris, and more broadly of France, Notre-Dame de Paris has, for decades and even centuries, inspired numerous writers, artists, filmmakers and even video game designers... a true jewel of French popular culture.
The cathedral has witnessed the Hundred Years’ War, the Crusades, the great waves of plague, the French Revolution, two World Wars… and nearly succumbed to a massive fire five years ago, on April 15, 2019. At over 850 years old, anyone would have given in. But not Notre-Dame Cathedral, which still stands proudly in the heart of the French capital.
After firefighters saved the religious building from the flames, restoration work was swiftly undertaken to repair the damage and get Notre-Dame back on its feet. A little over five years after the catastrophe, the cathedral is set to reopen next month.
This is a global event, one that will delight the French, tourists and the faithful. Initially invited to attend the reopening, Pope Francis ultimately indicated in mid-September that he would not be present in Paris for the occasion.
Built in the 12th century and completed in 1345, Notre-Dame de Paris was modified in the 18th century and restored in the 19th century. To mark its upcoming reopening, This is Beirut offers a brief tour of some of the most emblematic works of French popular culture that feature this iconic structure.
Literature
One cannot talk about Notre-Dame without mentioning literature and its namesake novel, Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo. Published in 1831, the cathedral is one of the main settings of the story.
The success of the work had repercussions on the monument which, in the 19th century, was at risk of collapse after being damaged during the French Revolution a few decades earlier. “Spurred by a resurgence in popularity thanks to Victor Hugo's Notre-Dame de Paris, the State decided to carry out restoration work in the 19th century,” reads the cathedral’s website.
Cinema
Victor Hugo's novel eventually reached the world of cinema. Several film adaptations have been made since the book's publication, including the 1956 version directed by Jean Delannoy and featuring Mexican-American actor Anthony Quinn.
Disney's animation studios also took on the story with The Hunchback of Notre Dame, released in 1996, which was loosely inspired by Hugo’s work. A second animated film followed four years later in 2000.
Another movie was released in 2022, focusing this time on the 2019 fire at the cathedral, Notre-Dame brûle, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. This film revisits the tragic events of April 15, 2019, and portrays the men and women who helped save the building from the flames.
Painting
Among the most famous paintings in French history, many use Notre-Dame as either the main scene or a background element. In this context, it's hard not to think of Napoleon I. Between 1805 and 1807, painter Jacques-Louis David created The Coronation of Napoleon, immortalizing the moment when he became Emperor of the French and his wife Joséphine became Empress on December 2, 1804, at Notre-Dame de Paris. Measuring nearly 9.79 meters long and 6.21 meters high, this large painting is now on display at the Louvre Museum.
Another famous large painting also housed in the Louvre is Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix, which portrays the 1830 Revolution, known as the “Three Glorious Days.” Delacroix included Notre-Dame de Paris in the background, on the right, as a witness to this historical episode.
Music
When it comes to music and Notre-Dame de Paris, one idea immediately springs to mind for the French: the French-Canadian musical Notre-Dame de Paris, released in 1998. It featured singers such as Garou, Patrick Fiori, Daniel Lavoie, Hélène Ségara and Julie Zenatti... Among the most listened-to songs from the musical is Belle.
The musical’s success has been remarkable. In 25 years, according to Franceinfo, it has been performed in over 27 countries and translated into 20 languages.
Notre-Dame de Paris has also inspired other French singers, such as Édith Piaf, Charles Trenet and Léo Ferré.
...And Even Video Games
Notre-Dame de Paris has also captured the attention of video game studios. Among the most notable franchises that used the cathedral as a backdrop and/or main scene is Assassin’s Creed, by French studio Ubisoft.
In Assassin’s Creed: Unity, released in 2014, the story takes place in Paris during the French Revolution. In this edition, like in previous installments, the character can climb buildings, including Notre-Dame de Paris. Notably, the cathedral even appears on the game’s cover.
Ubisoft also donated €500,000 to the reconstruction of the cathedral, according to the newspaper Le Parisien.
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