I was sorry to see on the news this evening the images of Notre Dame Cathedral in flames. There has been restoration work going on so James suggested that one of the workers has perhaps accidentally left a blowtorch or a heater on, and it has caught fire. The first time I visited Notre Dame was on a trip to Paris in my first year at university with a group of fellow linguists, and I remember being impressed by its beautiful rose window and its flying buttresses and gargoyles. I also remember passing it on a bateau mouche when James and I were on our honeymoon in May 1985. And each time that I have been to Paris since then, on holiday or with school trips, I have either visited Notre Dame or seen it as I passed nearby.
Sad as I feel, I can’t imagine how the people of Paris must feel this evening as their national icon burns. The roof has caved in, the spire has fallen, and many of the stained glass windows have been destroyed, however the walls are still standing so hopefully it can eventually be restored. It’s pretty bad though.
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