The restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in France is being led by Claire Tabouret, a French artist residing in Los Angeles for the past decade. She has been selected to create stained glass windows as part of the cathedral's $900 million restoration project, which was initiated following a devastating fire in 2019.
Tabouret's work will add a contemporary element to the nearly 1,000-year-old structure. The decision to include new stained glass windows was proposed by Paris's archbishop, Laurent Ulrich, and later approved by President Emmanuel Macron during a site visit in 2023. The French culture ministry announced a yearlong competition to select the artist for this project, ultimately choosing Tabouret from over 100 applicants.
The new windows will occupy six of the seven chapels along the nave, complementing one existing figurative window. The ministry emphasized that the commission aims to introduce a contemporary artistic gesture rather than replace the historical windows that survived the fire, which included notable 19th-century designs by Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc.
Despite objections from preservationists regarding the replacement of windows that had not been destroyed, the ministry proceeded with the selection of Tabouret, who is collaborating with the Atelier Simon-Marq stained-glass studio in Reims. The installation of the new windows is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Tabouret, who has never applied for a competition before, expressed her excitement about the opportunity, stating it is a unique chance to contribute to a historic project. Her artistic journey began in the South of France, leading her to the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and eventually to a successful career in Los Angeles.
Her artwork often features figures that convey deep emotional narratives, and her pieces have been exhibited internationally. A recent auction saw one of her paintings sell for $870,000. Tabouret's work is characterized by its relatability, allowing viewers to see themselves in her creations.
While aware of the opposition to her new stained glass designs, Tabouret views herself as a researcher and acknowledges the evolving history of Notre-Dame. She argues that each renovation reflects the building's ongoing transformation and that art should continue to evolve with time.
The competition's guidelines required the final designs to depict the Pentecost, with each window representing a specific biblical sentence. Tabouret's sketches for the windows, displayed in her studio, illustrate her creative process and the vibrant colors she plans to use.
One of her designs features "tongues of fire," symbolically linking the new windows to the fire that necessitated the restoration. Tabouret reflects on the parallels between the Notre-Dame fire and the destructive wildfires in Los Angeles, emphasizing the sense of vulnerability felt by residents in both locations.
As she continues her work, Tabouret contemplates the themes of destruction and rebirth, recognizing the significance of her contributions to the cathedral's future.