Tragedy in France: Notre Dame Cathedral Engulfed In Flames.

[mawnansmiff]

Watching it right now on the news....absolute tragedy of an internationally important building. Brings tears to my eyes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47941794
Regards,
Jay.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

That is awful news. Even worse news if it were terrorist related.

 

[prairiedruid]

Too early to know cause for sure but may be linked to restoration work that was being done. Main spire and roof of cathedral is gone........tragic. All that lead being liquified is another health concern.

 

[renal923]

I've been following along since I first found out. I also have a friend who lives in Paris who is watching it from as close as she could. It's heart wrenching.

 

[cachimbero]

A very sad day. Hope it is extinguished soon. Some things are irreplaceable. Very sad.

 

[seanv]

Very sad loss. Beautiful architecture that can’t be replaced

 

[kcghost]

So sad this structure was allowed to deteriorate so badly. Even non-practicing Catholics feel the loss of this once great building.

 

[workman]

When I was there, more than 20 years ago, I thought it the most beautiful, awe inspiring building I had ever seen. This is so sad. I was certain I was going there again. It is a major national symbol for France, and even more for parisians. So sad. It really makes me feel that nothing lasts forever.

 

[jvnshr]

Sad news. Watching on TV right now.

 

[npod]

In Remembrance. Picture from 2016. My heart is hurting right now.

 

[krizzose]

<p>A universal tragedy

 

[olkofri]

The Hour of Darkness.

 

[warren]

Heart wrenching. All that it stood for, all of the history, the fantastic facade, the interior, everything about church ... simply heart wrenching. Words are so inefficient.

 

[brian64]

I can only echo all of the above sentiment.
I would only add that, regardless of the cause, I see it as symbolic of and symptomatic of the general deterioration of western civilization.

 

[celticbrewer]

Such an amazing place. One of my favorite buildings in the world. Over 3 centuries to build. It will be missed by many

 

[jpmcwjr]

It's down but not out. It will be back. Maybe take a few decades, and some pieces cannot be replaced or replicated, but there will be a Nôtre Dame de Paris again.

 

[scloyd]

Very sad news. My wife and I visited Paris last September for our 40th anniversary.
One evening as we walked along the Seine we stopped and watched an elderly gentleman paint with watercolors. We chatted with him for about 15-20 minutes as he painted. He was a wonderful charming man. We purchased two watercolors from him, one is of Notre Dame Cathedral. We had the watercolors framed and they're great reminders of the great trip we had.
Here is the Notre Dame Cathedral watercolor.

 

[kcghost]

This must be gut wrenching for the French to watch. General Choltitz 75 years later can finally answer in the affirmative.

 

[wyfbane]

This is such sad news. I never had the priveledge of seeing it firsthand and now it is doubtful that my kids will get the chance either.
That said, I agree that it will be rebuilt. I was surprised to read how much of the building that existed prior to the fire had been started or updated in the last 225 years or so. This gives me hope that it will rise from the ashes again.

 

[instymp]

They can rebuild the outside but never replace what was inside.