A week after the fire of Notre-Dame, it is over with tranquility: tourists flock to the cathedral, dealers have customers again. Everyone wants to see what happens next.
An Italian tour group with tourist guide slides over the sidewalk. Behind the barrier is the cathedral, within reach. Everyone in the street looks straight up, taking pictures with their smartphones. That the roof is just a pile of rubble, you can hardly see from this perspective. „You do not really see the disaster from down here,“ says an older Frenchwoman.
The fact that the cathedral has its worst catastrophe is best recognized by the top of the large gable, which is secured by a net. Down on the ground, on the closed sidewalk opposite, are still small rocks.
The feelings of the French fluctuate: difficult and still unimaginable find it the one. The others are relieved that things have not gotten worse and feel that Notre-Dame is still very beautiful.
Selfiesticks are extended
As before the disaster, tourists from all over the world are now close to Notre-Dame. Selfiesticks are extended, souvenir photos taken. An American comes to Paris every year and wants to bring home „fabulous pictures“ from the cathedral this time as well.
Others turn the corner and are stunned – like a woman from the Netherlands. „I’m shocked,“ she says.
Also German tourists use the chance to get back close to Notre-Dame. „Funny“ that feels, says a woman from Nuremberg. „We were actually looking forward to going into the church.“
Frithjof from Hilden came with his daughter Lara. The two see it rather sober. It’s a pity that it burned here, it can happen anywhere, „he says. And Laura adds, „There’s not much you can do about it, it’s history that’s gone.“
Rebuild original or modern?
History to be rebuilt. How, in France, there is a lot of discussion – even in the shadow of the cathedral. Some want that the roof and the collapsed pinnacle are faithfully rebuilt. And as fast as possible. The others think you should find a timely solution.
„I think you should not rush now, as perhaps the President wants, but you should take your time, dare something and make the roof more modern,“ says a Frenchman.
Life returns to the neighborhood
The small Rue du Cloître-Notre-Dame is lined with souvenir shops, creperies and cafés. Sandwiches and ice cream are sold again. Parisians and tourists sit at the bistro tables on the sidewalk. With beer or coffee, they try to detect fire damage on the facade.
Gradually, life returns to the district – and that was high time, says Patrice Lejeune, president of the local dealer association. Thousands of employees would have had no work for a week due to the closure of the district.
The unusual silence around Notre-Dame is over. The shops continue.
