April 15, 2019, the world holds its breath: Notre-Dame de Paris, France’s leading monument to which 13 million visitors flock each year, is in flames. The attic, the wooden roof, and the spire by the architect Viollet-Le-Duc are collapsing. But in the midst of this nightmare, a miracle occurs: This masterpiece of Gothic architecture of 5,500m2 finally stands firm. It is not the first time the great lady of France almost met her end. The 130-meter long and 48-meter wide church almost never even came into being.

April 15, 2019, the world holds its breath: Notre-Dame de Paris, France’s leading monument to which 13 million visitors flock each year, is in flames. The attic, the wooden roof, and the spire by the architect Viollet-Le-Duc are collapsing. But in the midst of this nightmare, a miracle occurs: This masterpiece of Gothic architecture of 5,500m2 finally stands firm. It is not the first time the great lady of France almost met her end. The 130-meter long and 48-meter wide church almost never even came into being.