Notre-Dame's old stained glass to be replaced with modern works featuring blacks
As part of a 4 million euro project, six 19th-century stained glass windows will be replaced with contemporary works; critics claim a violation of the Venice Charter and a loss of heritage.
On December 9, 2025, France's authorities approved a project to replace part of the historical stained glass windows of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral with modern compositions depicting characters, including black individuals. This was reported by the French TV channel TF1info.
The project concerns six 19th-century stained glass windows in the southern nave of the cathedral, created by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Although they were not damaged during the 2019 fire, they are planned to be dismantled and replaced with modern works by artist Claire Tabouret. The new stained glass windows are expected to be installed by the end of 2026.
The modern compositions are executed in a figurative manner and depict people of different origins and appearances, including black characters. The project is dedicated to the Christian theme of Pentecost, symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit and the unification of nations. The idea was proposed with the participation of the Diocese of Paris and supported by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. The total cost of the project is about 4 million euros.
The decision sparked widespread debate in French society. Critics point out that replacing the stained glass windows that survived the fire violates the principles of the 1964 Venice Charter on the preservation of historical heritage. A petition against the project gathered about 300,000 signatures, but judicial authorities refused to block its implementation. According to the authorities, the historical stained glass windows will be preserved and transferred to a museum.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that a French pensioner donated one million euros for church restoration.
