The curse of French cathedrals: Why, after the fire in Notre Dame, the Nantes cathedral burned, where Bluebeard repented and D'Artagnan fought

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Only a year has passed since a fire nearly destroyed the heart of France - the famous Parisian Notre Dame Cathedral. On July 18, a fire broke out in the Nantes Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. All of the city's firefighters were called in to put out the fire that was devouring the French "gothic pearl," as Emmanuel Macron put it. For several endless hours the firefighters fought the greedy flames. According to experts, it was arson. Who and why needed to destroy the medieval religious heritage?

The fire started at approximately 7:30 am on 18 July. It took the locals only fifteen minutes to notice and raise the alarm. Flames burst from the gothic grates of the medieval cathedral. Firefighters spent long hours trying to get the fire under control. They went out of their way to save the priceless Baroque organ and the unique stained glass windows of the eastern façade. Unfortunately, relentless fire destroyed all the rarest works of art inside.

The prosecutor's office in Nantes believes that it was a deliberate arson. Three sources of fire were discovered at once, which excludes an accident. This massive fire caused irreparable damage to the cultural heritage of France. The episcopate of France published a statement on behalf of Catholics throughout the country that not only part of the Christian heritage was destroyed, but also the symbol of faith was destroyed, the hearts of all parishioners were deeply wounded, for whom this building is not just a place of prayer, but also a spiritual refuge, a landmark in their faith …

In general, the building itself was not badly damaged. Pockets of fire were found near the large organ, near the altar and next to the small organ. Only one hearth was near the electrical fuse. Experts say this is blatant arson. This incident, especially in the light of the Notre Dame fire, shocked France.

Nantes Cathedral is considered to be relatively "young". Its construction began in 1434. Other similar cathedrals in France are much older. The Church of Saints Peter and Paul was erected in Nantes on the site of a Romanesque cathedral. In those days it was a common thing. The city then flourished, life was in full swing in it and trade was raging. Despite this, the construction took place over many centuries. The cathedral was completely finished only in the 19th century.

Several interesting historical events are associated with this temple. For example, the famous Gilles de Rais, an associate of Jeanne D'Arc and accused of murdering hundreds of children and witchcraft, made a repentance in it. It was he who later became the very Bluebeard of French folklore. Although his guilt was never proven, and he certainly did not kill his wife (who he had only one).

In 1661, D'Artagnan (yes, the same lieutenant of the royal musketeers) in the square right in front of the cathedral arrested the superintendent of finance of France, Nicolas Fouquet. Locals are very fond of mentioning this historical fact.

The fire in the cathedral is undoubtedly dramatic, but the cathedral has seen worse over the years. The temple played an important role in the French Revolution - it served as an observation platform during the Battle of Nantes in 1793. During World War II, it was bombed. A terrible fire in 1972 completely destroyed the roof of the building.

Law enforcement agencies in France detained a man on suspicion of setting fire to the cathedral. After interrogation, he was released. The prosecutor said that while any version of his involvement in the events that occurred is too premature. While the criminal case will not be initiated. He is a 39-year-old man who is a Rwandan refugee and was a volunteer at the temple. According to other officials, he could not do this, for he adored this cathedral.

In this cathedral lie the remains of François II, Duke of Brittany and his wife Marguerite de Foix. Nantes is the city of dukes. In medieval times, the dukes of Brittany lived there, and their castle was located in the center of the old city. The building of the cathedral is illuminated even on the darkest days and pleases the eye with its magnificent multi-colored stained glass windows.

Will the cathedral be rebuilt in all the splendor of its former glory? The answer to this question is unknown, as well as to who and why committed this terrible arson. The renovation work will be paid for by the French government. Already, donations are being received for the restoration of this Catholic shrine.

Fire is always scary. Read our article on how the photographer managed to take pictures of the abandoned castle before the fire completely destroyed it.