The Stained Glass Windows Have Been Removed From the Basilica Choir

Why did the windows need to be removed?

In the workshop, the main task is to restore the structure, which is no longer able to hold the stained-glass in place: the old, oxidized lead came has warped and are no longer able to hold the panels together. As a result, they have to be removed and replaced one by one. Once dismantled, the pieces of glass are cleaned, any fractures are glued, and the whole panels are put back into lead before being re-welded. Stained-glass craftmen then seal the joints with putty and varnish to ensure watertightness.

When the paint is weakened or when a piece is missing, the workshop completes the stained glass and looks for a similar shade of glass, while taking into account the constraints specific to stained-glass as produced in the 19th century.

What is the timetable for the restoration in 2026?

Work is progressing in stages, with a target of around six months to restore and reinstate the first half of the choir. The second half is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The panels are being transported with care: batches are deliberately limited (no more than a few windows at a time) to minimize the risk of breakage and avoid too much weight when overlapping the glass. The various phases therefore shift between removal, temporary closure, transport, restoration in the workshop, then re-installation, in order to keep the building protected throughout the work.

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Some of the characters seem to be worried by this upheaval. Anxious at the idea of having to be taken down the 25 m scaffold on the backs of men – and women – they hold out their hands, as if to help the craftsmen in their effort.