A GLIMPSE THROUGH TIME - Visiting the Stained Glass of Notre-Dame

This May (2025), I had the opportunity of visiting the stained glass of Notre-Dame, something I have long wanted to do. While restoration work continues following the devastating fire of 2019, large parts of the cathedral are open once again for us to marvel at. The windows, the light, the sheer size of the building, the number of people…it was incredible and as a stained glass artist an unforgettable experience.

Outside Notre-Dame with he West Rose window above the entrance

So let me tell you a bit about Notre-Dame and its windows; The building of Notre-Dame started in 1163 and was completed in 1343, that’s a phenomenal 180-year build programme! The iconic rose windows took a mere fraction of that time, being constructed in the 13^th century between 1225 and 1260. The rose windows of which there are 3; North, South and West are named so because of the delicate stone tracery that resembles an open rose. They are huge and remarkably high up; I should have bought my binoculars! In fact I should have bought my binoculars because the most exquisite windows are high up in the galleries where the public can't get to.

North Rose Window at Notre-Dame

South Rose Window at Notre-Dame

• The West Rose Window (c. 1225)

  This is the oldest of the three and sits above the main entrance. Though slightly smaller than the others at 9.6m (31.5 feet), it’s a beautiful example of early Gothic design. The upper part depicts ‘vices and virtues’ in pairs and the lower the 12 signs of the zodiac in deep blues and earth tones.  The West Rose was restored by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in 1844 and again in 1867. Sadly, it no longer contains any of its original 13th-century glass.

  
  

• The North Rose Window (c. 1250–1260)

  With a cooler blue palette and commissioned under King Louis IX (Saint Louis), this window spans over 12 metres (40 feet) and contains more than 80 panels. The central image shows Mary holding the Christ child, surrounded by Old Testament figures; prophets, kings, and ancestors.  Amazingly, the North Rose retains most of its original medieval glass.

  
  

• The South Rose Window (c. 1260)

  This window spans 13m (42 feet) making it one of the largest in the world. It is warmer and more dramatic than the North, rich with reds and golds, celebrating the New Testament. At its centre is Christ in Glory, surrounded by apostles, saints, and martyrs.  It underwent major restoration in 1725 and again in 1861 by Viollet-le-Duc. It now contains mostly 19^th century glass.  In order to support the weight of the heavy masonry around it, the entire window was even rotated by 15 degrees, a remarkable feat of engineering.

  
  

Non figurative Grisaille stained glass windows created under the direction of Eugine Violet-le-Duc

Beyond the Roses: A Living History in Glass

While the rose windows get much of the spotlight (and rightly so), what struck me during my visit was how many windows there are throughout the cathedral; nearly 1,100 square feet (over 1,000 square meters) of glass in total. These windows, some ancient and some modern, collectively tell stories not just of the Bible, but of the building itself.

What I hadn’t realised was that over time and by the 18th century, the original glass had suffered so badly from centuries of pollution and weathering, their once-vibrant colours had dulled. During the reign of King Louis XV, many of the medieval windows were actually removed and replaced with plain glass, a move that was seen as modern and progressive at the time. 

Another 'modern' grisaille stained glass window at Notre-Dame

In the early 20th century, Cardinal Verdier championed the return of coloured glass to the cathedral.  Under the restoration by Viollet-Le-Duc, Master glassmaker Jacques Le Chevallier was commissioned in 1938 to create new ‘modern’ stained glass designs. These non-figurative, ‘abstract’ windows were installed in 1966 and remain in place today.  They are a great example of how stained glass can evolve, carrying spiritual meaning without traditional religious imagery and holding their own against the medieval giants. The sheer number of them shimmering with light makes them breath-taking.

Reflections from Seaview Studio

Not only was the colour and vastness of the windows amazing it’s also amazing to think these windows have survived not only the fire of 2019, but also the French Revolution, two world wars, and hundreds of years of weathering. Though many have been restored,

recreated or replaced and much of the glass is now 19^th century they still tell a story of endurance, transformation, and progression.

Many avid stained glassers will know that in the wake of the 2019 fire, there's been much discussion and some controversy around the idea of introducing modern stained glass windows as part of Notre-Dame’s restoration. While many feel strongly about preserving the Gothic integrity of the building, others, including artists, architects, and cultural leaders and myself see it as an opportunity to reflect the cathedral’s evolving story. As a glass artist, I’m open to new interpretation and feel innovation is exciting but I believe that any modern additions should deeply respect the spirit of the building. If done with sensitivity and respect for the space, I believe there’s room for modern creativity to coexist with the past just as Le Chevallier’s abstract windows have quietly done since the 1960s!

Notre-Dame isn’t just a cathedral. It’s a living piece of art. One that continues to evolve, reflect, and inspire. I came home feeling grateful to be part of a craft with such a rich lineage and excited to see where that light leads next.

If you’re even slightly drawn to stained glass or Gothic art, trust me Notre-Dame is worth the trip.