History & Culture

What I understand, the Notre Dame organ was incredibly lucky – it survived the actual fire with relatively little damage. However, there was a huge problem: the collapsed lead roof. That meant a thick layer of toxic lead dust settled all over everything, including the organ’s 8,000 pipes and its inner workings.

The restoration was a monumental undertaking. First, they had to carefully decontaminate everything to remove the lead dust, which required specialized craftspeople who knew how to handle such delicate and dangerous materials. They used techniques to basically vacuum and wipe down all the surfaces, making sure not to damage the historical components.

Then came the actual restoration of the organ’s mechanical and electrical components. They had to dismantle the entire thing, repair any damage, and put it all back together. This involved more than 30 artisans from different workshops across France, using both modern techniques and traditional methods passed down through generations.

Tuning was another massive challenge. Organs need absolute silence to be tuned properly, but the Notre Dame site was obviously a noisy construction zone. So, they had a team working during the day and another team, including the cathedral’s four organists, who worked at night when it was quieter. The organists, especially Olivier Latry, were crucial because they knew the organ’s unique sound intimately. They made sure that the restored organ sounded exactly as it did before the fire.

The organ’s restoration is a big deal for the reopening because it’s not just an instrument; it’s a symbol of Notre Dame’s history and resilience. It represents the continuity of French culture and the dedication of the people who worked so hard to bring it back to life. It is such an amazing effort to see.