The Bells of Notre Dame

The famous bells of Notre Dame have become a recognizable, romanticized sound of Paris. Their constant vibrations give a continuous sense of breath to the sacred building. As part of the restoration since the 2019 fire, the bells have recently been restored and arrived back in the cathedral.

The first record of bell ringing at Notre Dame took place in 1198 during the construction of the cathedral. During the French Revolution, about 80% of France’s church bells were melted down. Notre Dame’s three clock bells and the large Emmanuel were spared. Emmanuel is the largest, current-oldest, and most famous of Notre Dame’s bells, was cast in 1686 and rings in F#.

The bells mark times for prayer but are also rung in celebration and honor. They were silent during the German occupation during World War II until in 1944, as French and American troops were entering Paris, the bells rang again, soon joined by bells across the city. Due to the Germans strict control over radio stations, many Parisians did not know how close Allied forces were. The bells were the first indication to many that liberation was imminent.

In 2011, the cathedral worked to restore the cathedral's bells as they were before the Revolution to coincide with the celebration of the cathedral's 850th anniversary in 2013. The benediction of the bells was the largest such event in the history of the diocese.

The bells were of particular concern during the 2019 fire. Firefighters feared if the rooftop flames reached the north tower and wooden belfry, falling bells might break through the floors like wrecking balls. It was expected if the tower fell, the entire cathedral would too. The fire did reach the north tower but was extinguished quickly there by the firefighters. The main bells were saved, but six bells over the crossing were destroyed.

Since the fire, the bells have not rung on a regular basis. Emmanuel was rung on April 15, 2020 to commemorate the first anniversary of the fire.

The restored bells are:

The bourdon “Marie” is dedicated to Mary, special protector of the cathedral. It is a reproduction of an identical bourdon that played from 1378 to 1792, year of the infamous Republican plunder. In it are engraved the Hail Mary and images representing the Adoration of the Magi and the wedding of Cana. It and each subsequent bell also has a medallion of Mary with Jesus surrounded by stars and a cross with the inscription "Via viators quaerit" ("I am the way in looking for travelers").

The bell “Gabriel” is dedicated to St. Gabriel who announced the Incarnation. In this bell is written the first phrase of the Angelus: "The angel of the Lord announced Mary." There are 40 bands symbolizing the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert and the 40 years of the Jews' crossing through the Sinai desert.

The bell “Anne Geneviève” is dedicated to St. Anne, mother of Mary and St. Geneviève, patroness and protector of Paris. In it is written the second phrase from the Angelus: "And she conceived from the Holy Spirit." Three bands symbolize the Holy Trinity; emblems of fire evoke the tenacity of St. Geneviève.

The bell “Denis” is dedicated to St. Denis, first bishop of Paris. In this bell is inscribed the third sentence of Angelus: "Here is the servant of the Lord." Seven bands symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and the seven sacraments of the Church. There are also designs symbolizing martyrdom.

The bell “Marcel” bell is dedicated to St. Marcel, ninth bishop of Paris, highly revered by Parisians for his charity towards the poor and the sick. In this bell is inscribed the fourth sentence of the Angelus: "Be done unto me according to thy word." Five bands symbolize the three persons of the Holy Trinity and the two natures forming one God in Jesus Christ incarnate.

The bell “Étienne” is in honor of the Paris cathedral that preceded Notre Dame and was dedicated to St. Stephen. In this bell is recorded the fifth sentence of the Angelus: "And the Word became flesh." A single band in honor of this phrase and various motives evoke the martyrdom of St. Stephen.

The bell “Benoît-Joseph” is dedicated to Pope Benedict XVI and St. Joseph. It has the inscription with the sixth sentence of the Angelus: "And he dwelled among us." Twelve bands symbolize the twelve Apostles under the keys of St. Peter.

The bell “Maurice” is dedicated to the memory of Maurice de Sully, 72nd bishop of Paris, who laid the first stone of the Notre Dame cathedral in 1163. In this bell is inscribed the seventh sentence of the Angelus: "Pray for us, Holy Mother of God." Eight bands symbolize fullness (7 + 1). There are also architectural elements of the cathedral plan and evocation of its builders.

The “Jean-Marie” bell, the smallest of them, was named after Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, who was Archbishop of Paris from 1981-2005. In it is inscribed the eighth and final sentence of the Angelus: "In order to be worthy of the promises of Christ." Nine bands symbolize the nine angelic hierarchies. In the body of the bell are the initials of the four evangelists, each with its symbol.