The devastating 2019 fire consumed the massive wooden roof framework of Notre Dame Paris. Locals called this structure “The Forest” because of the sheer amount of timber required to build it.
Builders in the 12th century cut down 5,000 oak trees to construct the frame. Some of those beams had held the roof up for 800 years. The loss was a blow to history but the recovery is miraculous.
The current restoration is a feat of time travel because carpenters are rebuilding the roof using medieval axes. They are reviving lost techniques to ensure the new roof matches the soul of the old one. You witness this craftsmanship when you visit Notre Dame Paris today. This effort is a key theme in our Notre Dame tours because it proves that the cathedral is resilient enough to survive anything.
