Paris, Banks of the Seine
Factors affecting the property in 2019*
- Other Threats:
Fire
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Project of new buildings within the historic setting (issue resolved)
-
Fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris on 15 April 2019
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2019
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2019**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2019
On 15 April 2019, a fire devastated the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, one of the components of the “Paris, Banks of the Seine” property.
On 5 June 2019, in response to a letter from the World Heritage Centre informing the French State Party of the presentation of a state of conservation report on the property at the 43rd World Heritage Committee session, the State Party submitted an explanatory note on the emergency plan and the immediate measures taken to secure the Cathedral. In this note, the State Party emphasized that the emergency measures undertaken concerned the consolidation and safety of the Cathedral, as well as the protection and care of the movable objects. At the time of preparation of the present report, these measures are still ongoing.
The Historical Monuments Research Laboratory and the Centre for Research and Restoration of Museums of France are mobilized to oversee the work site and bring their expertise on the soundness of the stones that have fallen or are still in place, the evolution of the hygrometry in the building and the risk control of micro-organism development. The State Party also confirms that thanks to the very targeted actions of the fire service and the commitment of the competent services, no major art work was destroyed by the fire, and few movable objects suffered from water damage resulting from the extinction of the fire. However, the State Party underlined that due to a current judicial investigation to determine the origin of the fire and the state of the vault, the specialized teams are unable to access all parts of the building to make a full report of the damage.
In addition, the State Party informed that it will be able to submit a state of conservation report on the building on 1 December 2019.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2019
It is noted that the fire of 15 April 2019 caused major damage, notably the vault of the building and that the assessment of this damage is not completed. Based on current information, it would appear that the essential part of the structure could be preserved. It is noted with satisfaction that the evacuation of the treasures of the Cathedral was successfully accomplished.
The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS have taken note of the initial measures undertaken by the State Party to establish optimal conservation and restoration conditions for the building, in particular the launch of a national fund, the creation of a public establishment to manage the funds raised and the application of a specific legislative mechanism, ordinances, to facilitate the completion of the restoration work.
The World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS recall that the restoration work to be carried out by the State Party must be in conformity with the provisions of the World Heritage Convention. In this respect, it is recommended that the Committee remind the State Party to inform the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies (ICOMOS, ICCROM) of proposals for restoration projects for the building, in conformity with paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.
In close coordination with ICOMOS and ICCROM, UNESCO has made available three experts to assist the State Party, in case of need.
As committed by the State Party, it is further recommended that the Committee request the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2019, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the Cathedral and the measures envisaged for its consolidation, conservation and restoration of the damaged parts, with a view to initiating a dialogue on the general restoration process for the building and particularly opportunities for the enhancement of traditional savoir-faire.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2019
43 COM 7B.82
Paris, Bank of the Seine (France) (C 600)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/19/43.COM/7B.Add.3,
- Expresses its solidarity with the State Party for the damage caused to the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, a component of the “Paris, Banks of the Seine”, by the fire on 15 April 2019;
- Takes note of the information provided by the State Party concerning the emergency plan and the immediate measures already carried out to secure the Cathedral, and commends the State Party for the efforts undertaken by the competent national authorities to ensure the safeguarding of the property despite the difficulties encountered;
- Invites the State Party, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, to inform the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies (ICOMOS, ICCROM) of proposals for consolidation, conservation and restoration projects of the damaged parts of the Cathedral, before irreversible decisions are taken, and encourages the State Party, in conformity with the Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, to initiate a dialogue with the Committee to identify appropriate solutions to ensure the preservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
- Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2019, as it has committed, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session in 2020.
Draft Decision: 43 COM 7B.82
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/19/43.COM/7B.Add.3,
- Expresses its solidarity with the State Party for the damage caused to the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, a component of the “Paris, Banks of the Seine”, by the fire on 15 April 2019;
- Takes note of the information provided by the State Party concerning the emergency plan and the immediate measures already carried out to secure the Cathedral, and commends the State Party for the efforts undertaken by the competent national authorities to ensure the safeguarding of the property despite the difficulties encountered;
- Invites the State Party, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, to inform the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies (ICOMOS, ICCROM) of proposals for consolidation, conservation and restoration projects of the damaged parts of the Cathedral, before irreversible decisions are taken, and encourages the State Party, in conformity with the Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, to initiate a dialogue with the Committee to identify appropriate solutions to ensure the preservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
- Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2019, as it has committed, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session in 2020.
FranceDocuments examined by the Committee
43COM (2019)Exports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
