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Giovedì, Gennaio 1, 2026
Parvis Notre‑Dame – Place Jean‑Paul II, 75004 Parigi, Francia
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Notre‑Dame in War: Protection and Symbolism

A history of Notre‑Dame during WWI and WWII: protective measures, civic presence, and endurance amid conflict.

1/8/2026
15 min read
Sandbags protecting Notre‑Dame’s façade during wartime

Notre‑Dame became a civic sentinel during the world wars. Sandbags, guard posts, and protocols shielded stone from shock and shrapnel.


🪖 Protective Measures

  • Sandbagging: Façades and windows buffered against blasts.
  • Monitoring: Patrol logs kept in sacristy records.
  • Repair cycles: Chips and cracks cataloged by masons.

🗓️ Events & Presence

  • WWI: Precautions for artillery and air raids.
  • WWII: Occupation era vigil and symbolic services.

Protection in WWII

The cathedral’s steady presence helped anchor civic morale.

[^memory]: Wartime diaries note the cathedral as a point of orientation and hope.

Autore

Cultural Historian

Cultural Historian

Come amante di Parigi e viaggiatore attento, ho creato questa guida per aiutare tutti a entrare nelle storie di Notre‑Dame — dove fede, mestiere e comunità si incontrano.

Tags

WWI
WWII
Protection
Symbol

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