Notre-Dame: The Soul of France is an art book by Agnès Poirier.
The deep emotion around the world when seeing the image of Notre Dame in flames opens a series of questions: Why are people so deeply moved? Why does Notre-Dame crystallize so clearly what is our civilization? What makes ‘Our Lady of Paris’ the soul of a nation and a symbol of human achievement? What is speaking directly to us today?

In response, Agnès Poirier turns to decisive moments in Notre Dame’s history. Beginning with the laying of the cornerstone in 1163, she recounts Henri IV’s conversion to Catholicism, Napoleon’s coronation, Victor Hugo’s 19th-century church preservation campaign, Baron Haussmann’s clearing the streets in front of the church, Liberation in 1944, the 1950s film The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, starring Gina Lollobrigida and Anthony Quinn, and the state funeral of Charles de Gaulle, before back to the present.

The conflict over the reconstruction of Notre Dame promises to be very acrimonious. There is nothing more than a culture war going on between the wise and the daring, the sincere and the opportunistic, the historians and the warriors, the devout and the secular. It was here that Poirier revealed the profound unrest – gilet jaunes and all – in the heart of France.

This book represents exactly how I felt about the great fire at the time. Although I am not French and am not familiar with the architecture of Notre Dame, to me it is one of the most important symbols of France and of Western Civilization.
It is unthinkable that a fire with such gravity could happen in this day and age.
I fully support the decision to maintain the visible appearance of the Cathedral but I strongly disagree that the roof structure should be restored with wood. Metal alloys that are much stronger and lighter can be used, which are easier to purchase, manufacture and erect, and are fire resistant.

• Notre-Dame: The Soul of France

• By: Agnès Poirier

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