Notre Dame de Paris has a history that stretches back 860 years. Since its construction in the 12th century, it has undergone many changes.
The inner walls of the chapels date to 1180-1200 and the outer to 1225-1270. They were not planned initially as they would be too dark and shielded from the major light entirely through the high nave windows. The major guilds, including the goldsmith guild, insisted and wealthy families were happy to pay for the opportunity of having their own chapel and access to a deacon.
Chapel of Noah
The cathedral reopened last month, and the physical footprint of the walls and vaults has remained. The interior of the church and its furniture are under the bishop’s watchful eye and have also undergone a few changes.
On this week’s newest podcast episode, we share the story of the north chapels of the nave, which have undergone a new rebranding and dedication to “the promise” of the Old Testament.
The first chapel you enter is dedicated to Noah and holds Eugene Viollet-le-Duc’s baptismal font. Bronzier Louis Bachelet created this beautiful piece topped with the statue of John the Baptist. Around the base are the apostles, holding up each of the legs, and the four evangelists hold each of their attributes: Luke with his bull, Mathew with his angel, John with his eagle, and Mark with his lion.
Chapel of Abraham
The next six chapels are dedicated to Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, David, Salomon, and Elijah in name only. Since their reopening, the chapels’ contents have slimmed down to paintings, sculptures, and tapestries. Sadly, the many reliquaries, crucifixes, or linens on the VLD altars have not returned.
Each of the seven chapels on the northern side includes grisaille stained glass windows created by Edouard Didron from Eugene Viollet-le-Duc’s drawing. Didron was born in 1836 and took over his uncle, Adolphe Didron’s, stained glass atelier in 1849. Chosen by VLD, he also created one of my favorite windows in Saint Etienne de Mont.
Stained glass of the chapel of Moses
Listen to this week’s newest episode and watch the YouTube video I made within the cathedral, walking you through each chapel and all its details.