Notre Dame's New Bells Symbolize Hope and Revival
- The new bells include an Olympic bell that was used in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
- These bells will be installed above the altar and replace those lost in the 2019 fire.
- Their arrival signals a milestone in the ongoing restoration of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral.
On November 7, 2024, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris received three new bells, marking a significant milestone in its restoration following the devastating fire in 2019. Among the new bells is an Olympic bell, given by the Paris 2024 organizing committee, which was previously rung during the Olympic Games. These new bells will be installed above the altar and are expected to add to the cathedral's soundscape during Mass. They replace three older bells destroyed in the fire, with the mission of resurrecting Notre Dame’s historic musical tradition. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, the rector of Notre Dame, highlighted the joy the new bells would bring, stating their ringing would coincide with key moments during Mass. The other two bells, named Chiara and Carlos, are smaller and adorned with symbols that pay homage to the cathedral’s heritage. Crafted by the Cornille Havard foundry, the bells represent a continuation of France’s esteemed bell-making tradition. This restoration effort is part of a larger initiative restoring Notre Dame Cathedral, involving over 250 companies and skilled artisans. The arrival of these bells comes just before Notre Dame’s scheduled reopening on December 8, 2024, after extensive renovations being carried out since the fire. The installation of the new bells signifies both a memorial for what was lost and a celebration of what is being rebuilt, encapsulating a message of resilience and renewal for the iconic landmark.