18th Century Modifications
King Louis XIII passed away five years later and did not have the time to realize his devotional work. His son Louis XIV finally initiated the work in 1699. These were the most significant transformations since the Middle Ages. Robert de Cotte undertook the work from 1708 to 1725, after an initial project by Jules-Hardouin Mansart was abandoned. Appointed the first architect of Louis XIV, his work continued under Louis XV. He was one of the most brilliant representatives of 18th-century French architecture.
A Desire for Modernity
Cardinal de Noailles (1651-1729), appointed Archbishop of Paris in 1695 and then Cardinal in 1700, financed the work:
- Gables, roses, and pinnacles on the south side
- Flying buttresses, galleries, and terraces
- Reconstruction of the vault of the nave
- Renovation of the framework and lead roofing
- Remodeling of the choir: destruction of the rood screen, creation of a crypt for the cathedral’s archbishops, creation of a new high altar adorned with a monstrance, a crucifix, and six candlesticks, marble cladding on the columns, creation of a wrought iron gate to close the choir, replacement of the choir stalls.
In 1723, the “Vow of Louis XIII” was placed in the choir. Nicolas Coustou’s Pieta overlooks it. Above the new stalls, tapestries illustrating the life of the Virgin, woven in 1657 based on cartoons painted by Philippe de Champaigne, were displayed. They were later sold to Strasbourg Cathedral, where they are now located. Eight large-format paintings by popular artists later replaced the tapestries.
In 1756, the canons deemed the building too dark. They had the walls whitewashed and requested the destruction of the medieval stained glass windows to replace them with white glass. They preserved the rose windows.
Revolutionary Period
Until the Revolution, the cathedral was the property of the Archbishopric of Paris. On November 2, 1789, it was made available to the nation along with all the clergy’s assets. Since then, the French state has owned the building.
In February 1791, through a series of decrees, the cathedral became the seat of the parish of the city, transferring the prerogatives previously exercised by the ten small churches on the island, created by Maurice de Sully in the 12th century.
In 1793, Catholic worship was banned in Paris. The cathedral was pillaged and vandalized. The revolutionaries established the Cult of Reason around the mottos of liberty and equality. Many buildings were transformed into Temples of Reason, including Notre-Dame. During this period, the cathedral served as a wine warehouse.
