I will say, that no one takes their art and architecture more seriously than the French. They will do something magnificent to restore ND, and to replace what was lost. I have total faith.
I really hope they rebuild it as it was and not put up some cold modernist replacement.
I remember back in 1972 (I even remember the year), when I heard on the radio that a man had attacked the face of the Virgin Mary on Michaelangelo’s Pieta. I thought it would never be beautiful again. Within a few years, art experts had restored it and it is perfect, albeit behind glass.
It’s just hard to believe that no one noticed the fire while it was still small. Was there no security, fire alarm, monitoring cameras?
Absolutely heartbroken here.
I visited with my daughter almost 10 years ago (summer of 2009), meeting up with her after her study abroad, for a shared week in Paris. And once roughly 5 years before that.
I am physically ill over this. We were last there in October of 2017 with my DH’s aunt. Such a loss for the whole world.
I heard that several Catholic Churches in France have had fires recently.
Same. I feel a connection to Notre Dame Cathedral that I can’t explain other than to say that if there is such a thing as past lives, I’m sure I spent one closely connected to it in some way. The first time I ever walked in, I remember feeling chills run up my spine (in a good way) and getting an overwhelming sense of being “home.” I don’t know how else to describe it. Seeing it burn made me feel sick.
My heart is heavy, My husband and I don’t travel much, but we were in Paris last September. Unfortunately, I had injured my knee and was only able to see it from the ground and the river. We thought we’d return to walk through.
From the ashes, Angels rise - Salma Hyaks husband has pledged $110,000,000 to rebuild
^^^^^^^WOW!!!
The entire wooden interior is lost – https://www.cnn.com/style/article/nortre-dame-fire-oak-wood-trnd/index.html 
Bernard Arnault topped Pinault and pledged $220,000,000. How much would it cost to rebuild?
I haven’t heard any estimates on the cost to rebuild, but I would imagine they’ll start by contracting a new restoration company.
@MaineLonghorn, I would imagine that if the wooden supports are lost, the whole structure is at risk?
“The entire wooden interior is lost”
From what I’ve read it took a forest worth of old growth trees to build that wooden interior and the roofing structure. How it would be rebuilt I am not sure but I can’t imagine them using the same type/quantity of wood.
In 1836, the timber supported roof of Chartres Cathedral was destroyed in a fire. When they rebuilt it, they used iron tresses to support the roof. When they rebuild the roof at Notre Dame, they will probably use steel supports. No way they could replicate the old timber structure.
From what I read, the carpenters and the craftsmen left their own unique marks on the wood. All of that is lost. It does not make sense to try to replicate the structure with wood because it will never be the same. The use of steel would make the structure more fire resistant and will help protect whatever is left from the original Cathedral.
Headline on Daily Mail right now reporting the three beautiful rose windows have survived the fire. ??
During the fire yesterday, I felt the need to dig out some old pictures to share with my D from when I was in my 20’s and bicycled through Europe. My parents were so worried and, when we would periodically talk by phone, my mom said she was constantly lighting candles at church for a safe return. I have a picture of me lighting a candle for my mom in Notre Dame Cathedral and I said prayers to ease her worry. Such a beautiful cathedral, I am just so saddened by what has happened.
Hopefully they won’t decide to rebuild the roof in a “modern” way: Glass ceiling, Frank Gehry range hoods etc. In that case I’d rather see it as a ruin.
Here is the link to the article I mentioned in my earlier post re: the survival of the rose windows.
I would say better NOT. We should preserve old forests, too.