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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Notre Dame fire

100 replies

DrVonPatak · 15/04/2019 20:27

I'm just shocked, I can't believe it. I have a picture of DH and myself on bicycles in front of it on a canvas in our bedroom, one of our favourite trips, I just can't believe it went up in flames!!!

OP posts:

Shipley · 15/04/2019 22:37

Why are so many people devastated by this? Even people on my social media who wouldn't usually care about anything cultural.

Is it just because it's stood so long? Don't we have many other buildings and structures that pre-date it?

I don't mean it horribly, maybe because I've never seen it in real life I don't get it, or perhaps it has significance that I don't know about?

TheInvestigator · 15/04/2019 22:55

@Shipley

It's because it's so well known. The Paris skyline would not be the same without it. It's just something everyone knows... we all know what it looks like, we've all seen it in popular culture.

You didn't see the same level of upset each time ISIS destroyed an historic monument or piece of art, but those of us who love history were just as upset. Losing pieces of history should matter. Losing significant buildings should matter. They form a part of our culture and have a history of signidicant events or were used by important historical figures. It's very sad to lose them.

Poppy43 · 15/04/2019 23:02

In one of the pictures, the shape of the smoke against the sky gives the illusion that someone is sitting on the next roof with their head bowed in prayer.
I can't unsee it now that I've spotted it

WhatisFreddoingnow · 15/04/2019 23:07

@Shipley

It is also very significant to Catholics, not just in France (although especially so) but around the world.

Truly upsetting scenes and I pray for the strength of the firefighters and the recovery of the poor one who has been injured.

Some reports are saying that many artefacts were removed very recently because of the renovation. Hopefully, that is true.

Greeborising · 15/04/2019 23:09

Shipley Notre Dame is a magnificent example of French Gothic architecture.
It has stood for nearly 1000 years housing priceless works of art and original stained glass windows.
Millions visit it every year.
In our lifetime ‘it has always been there’
To many it’s unthinkable to think of it being destroyed.
I’m actually rather saddened that you feel the need to ask
“Why are so many people devastated by this”

Original poster

DrVonPatak · 15/04/2019 23:11

@Shipley

Because it is one of those moments when people realise how weak we still are in face of that kind of a destruction. And, because so many of us were actually there, it kind of links us all together. Not sure for the rest of you, but watching it happen and knowing that someone else in Paris, Berlin, Rome, New York is watching the same thing and experiencing the same shock and disbelief, it kind of rang with something deep inside. I hope I never have to witness something like this again.

OP posts:

BlackeyedGruesome · 15/04/2019 23:14

The walls being saved is not much consolation if the internal stuff and architecture is lost. Hoping it is more like York Minster than Coventry Cathedral.

Original poster

DrVonPatak · 15/04/2019 23:17

Even if they are saved, the fire will have made them brittle. Not sure it'll be capable of supporting the entire reconstructed roof weight again.

OP posts:

RosaWaiting · 15/04/2019 23:22

Shipley sometimes a place is in your heart.

for me, that's not the case here but I totally see why people would be upset.

I remember the first time I saw the newspaper reports of St Paul's after WW2 bombs - hit me in the gut even though I know we are all here and everything is fine now!

Places can be incredibly important, part of your daily life and emotional life.

RosaWaiting · 15/04/2019 23:23

I'm also really puzzled by someone questioning why people would be upset, tbh. It's an odd question.

LordPickle · 15/04/2019 23:30

I agree OP...I feel sick about it. I'm thankful that I have been there a few years ago but it still feels like an important part of world history has been destroyed. Absolutely devastating.

Bemusedagain · 15/04/2019 23:36

Awful. I cried my eyes out when the spire came down. Just awful :( can’t believe I won’t ever get to take my kids there. I feel sick just thinking about it. 1,000 years of history. It’s priceless.

MidniteScribbler · 15/04/2019 23:54

Why are so many people devastated by this? Even people on my social media who wouldn't usually care about anything cultural.

Because it is a site of massive historical, architectural, religious and cultural significance.

It actually saddens me that someone actually questions why this is such a big deal.

OhDearGodLookAtThisMess · 15/04/2019 23:59

Why are so many people devastated by this?

Seriously???

Crinklesmile · 16/04/2019 00:08

My heart is so heavy. It is such a special place, we have been twice and it took my breath away. It is a magnificent building. My thoughts are with the fire fighters as well, I hope they get through safe.

dreichuplands · 16/04/2019 00:11

DH and I both very sad. I hope it will be like York which I have seen rebuilt. The loss of the stained glass is particularly bad.
I would just like to add I was also very sad at the destruction that ISIS wrought on historical structures. They represent the best of societies and last for thousands of years.

OhDearGodLookAtThisMess · 16/04/2019 00:19

I find it hard to understand how a stone building, with (presumably?) a lead roof, can burn like that and destroy the building so quickly. It was mentioned on the news about a wooden frame, but I can't see anything obvious on photos from before the fire.

alittleprivacy · 16/04/2019 00:28

Is it just because it's stood so long? Don't we have many other buildings and structures that pre-date it?

No of course we don't! How could you think that we do?

Jamiefraserskilt · 16/04/2019 00:32

Sadly the building had fallen into decline and was borderline unsafe. The disturbing pictures of temporary fixes and poor maintenance were upsetting and despite the riches of Rome, fund raising was the only way to finance such a major restoration. After finally starting to stabilise the building, to see it in flames is very sad. My kids will be middle aged by the time the rebuild is done. It is an iconic landmark with 850 years of history that can never be replaced. To see that steeple fall made by stomach twist. Trump thinks forest fire equipment would have saved it cos you can empty a sluce of water in the middle of a city without damaging surrounding buildings and the people in the vicinity. Duh.

EverybodysTalkingAtMe · 16/04/2019 00:32

It's full of wood. That's what burns.

Sad day for humanity my arse. Sad day for architectural history, yes. But humanity? Refugees live in fear and sickness without access to basic human rights across Europe and beyond, and people voted for Brexit to keep then from coming here. That's a sad day for humanity.

The cathedral will be rebuilt. Hundreds of skilled craftspeople will come together to create an amazing restoration.

Nothing to cry about.

trumpdump · 16/04/2019 00:33

I liked Trump's comment in it...

Greeborising · 16/04/2019 00:39

“Nothing to cry about”
Speechless

MidniteScribbler · 16/04/2019 00:44

Nothing to cry about.

Bloody hell. Some people are just so clueless, I wonder how they ever have any meaningful relationships with other human beings.

Diamondjoan · 16/04/2019 00:52

Very sad watching this unfold today. Visited on a school trip 30 years ago this week and have been back many times over the years. I hope it will be able to be restored to its glory again in my lifetime.

alwayscrashinginthesamecar1 · 16/04/2019 00:55

Nothing to cry about? Fucking hell, some people really are clueless.

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