Before the fire, the transept crossing harboring the altar where the liturgy was celebrated was the heart of the cathedral. But being more ravaged than other parts of the monument by the fire in the spire above it, then by the collapse of the whole vault of the crossing and endangered by the damaged scaffolding, it became the focal point of the cathedral's most spectacular wounds.
Late 2020, the dismantling of the scaffolding finally provided access to this nerve center of the burned cathedral: the final stage could begin, which would lead to a fully secured Notre Dame de Paris.
Securing the pieds de gerbe
All that remained of the vault was the beginning of the arches fanning out at the top of the four piers forming the four corners of the crossing. For this reason, they are called "pieds de gerbe" (or sprays). The pieds de gerbe were seriously damaged and had to be dismantled. Scaffolding had to be installed: this was unthinkable as long as stones weighing an average of 80 kilos were still in danger of falling.
To consolidate the ensemble, rope workers and scaffolders applied a mixture of oakum, lime and plaster at the edges of the breach caused by the collapsing vault of the crossing.
Once that operation was complete, the scaffolding could be mounted along the pieds de gerbe. They were then dismantled stone by stone by opening the joints with a hammer and chisel. On reaching the undamaged parts of the piers, the crossing was deemed to be secured: the future restored vault would soar up from these bases and the base of the framework of the spire would take root in them.
Protecting the crossing from water
All that now remained was to place a provisional sliding roof consisting of steel tubes covered with tarpaulins on the floors installed at the top of the walls of the nave. This meticulously prepared roof was designed to open when necessary to allow the tower crane to introduce materials into the cathedral. Kept closed under normal conditions, it acted as an umbrella to protect the crossing from rain and cold.
In August 2021, the completion of the umbrella covering the great nave of the cathedral marked the conclusion of the first phase of the works within the specified time frame. A time of great relief: Notre-Dame de Paris was fully secured. All dangers threatening it had been removed.
Now it was time for the restoration!
Main visual ©David Bordes / RNDP