The stained glass windows of Notre-Dame regain their light

While Notre-Dame de Paris is being rebuilt, scientists and restorers are working hand in hand to better understand and preserve its stained glass decoration. Research engineer Karine Boulanger and heritage curator Élisabeth Pillet are part of the Glass working group of the scientific project set up by the CNRS and the Ministry of Culture. Within the Centre André Chastel ¹, they put their expertise in stained glass at the service of the conservation of this exceptional heritage. In what condition were the stained glass windows after the fire of April 2019? Karine Boulanger: Luckily, they suffered very little. Only one, located in the nave, was damaged by one of the tips of the spire that collapsed. But none were destroyed. Nevertheless, dusty and covered with smoke, they had to be thoroughly cleaned like all the cathedral's interiors.