French President Macron’s plan for new Notre Dame windows face backlash
French President Emmanuel Macron’s ambition to leave a lasting legacy in the restored Notre Dame Cathedral may be in jeopardy as his controversial plans for modern stained-glass windows face fierce opposition.
Macron’s proposal to replace the large windows of six side-chapels in the south aisle of Notre Dame’s nave with contemporary designs in yellow, pink, and green stained-glass has sparked outrage among art historians and architects. The president’s aides argue that the redesign is meant to serve as a reminder of the devastating 2019 fire that ravaged the iconic cathedral.
However, France’s National Heritage and Architecture Commission unanimously voted against Macron’s plan in July, leading one artist involved in the competition to drop out in protest. Pascal Convert, a prominent figure in the art world, expressed his dismay at the decision, stating, “When I read that, I said, ‘We’re stopping everything.'”
Critics, including Claire Smith, a renowned archaeology professor, have accused Macron of “inserting himself” into the cathedral in an opportunistic and self-aggrandizing manner. Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right opposition party, condemned Macron’s proposal as a reckless attempt to tarnish the cathedral’s priceless heritage.
The dispute over the stained-glass windows is expected to escalate through France’s legal system, with opponents determined to block Macron’s vision for the cathedral’s interior. Despite the controversy, Notre Dame reopened last month with a grand ceremony attended by dignitaries such as former President Donald Trump, First Lady Jill Biden, and Prince William.
The painstaking restoration efforts at Notre Dame have involved skilled carpenters meticulously crafting giant oak beams to rebuild the roof and spire that were destroyed in the fire. Nearly $1 billion in donations poured in from around the world in the aftermath of the tragedy, underscoring the global significance of the beloved cathedral.
As the debate over Macron’s proposed modernization of Notre Dame continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the president’s desire to make his mark on the historic landmark will prevail against staunch opposition from preservationists and traditionalists. The fate of the cathedral’s iconic stained-glass windows hangs in the balance, symbolizing a clash between past and present in the heart of Paris.
