Notre Dame fire strikes at the soul of France

David A. Andelman, Executive Director of The RedLines Project, is a contributor to CNN, where his columns won the Deadline Club Award for Best Opinion Writing. Author of"A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today," and translator of"An Impossible Dream: Reagan Gorbachev and a World Without the Bomb," he was formerly a foreign correspondent for The New York Times and CBS News. Follow him on Twitter @DavidAndelman.

The vast fire that ripped through Paris' venerable Notre Dame cathedral has struck directly at the soul of France. No single catastrophic event has bit so deeply into the core of the cathedral and its soaring spire as Monday's fire that lit up the city skyline. As thousands lined the banks of the Seine to gaze up at the flames, there were few words to convey their fear that a central part of the French national identity and eight centuries of its precious history had been lost in a single transcendent moment. I share their sentiment.

See moment Notre Dame's spire falls 00:29It's hardly a surprise, then, that French President Emmanuel Macron canceled a televised address to the nation and raced to the scene of the fire."Like all our compatriots, I am sad this evening to see this part of all of us burning," he tweeted at 8 p.m. local time.Indeed, the very name of the cathedral translates to"Our lady of Paris.

Witness: We watched 'in silent shock' as Notre Dame burned 02:21In fact, Notre Dame was built on land where a pagan temple was situated in Roman times. But the cathedral in its current form may be more directly traced to the rule of Louis VII, who, in an effort to cement Paris as the true capital of Europe, began work with the blessing of Pope Alexander III on the towering structure that continues to dominate the Paris skyline today.

Opinion how trully sad that happen in to the cathidrall of paris that is a such a nice place

Opinion So horrible

Opinion Has any news organization asked the question that everyone is asking - how did this fire start? Was it arson?

Opinion 💔

Opinion Terribly saddened with fire horror at Notre Dame. My tears are flowing seeing those devastating pictures. So close to my heart and so much a part of my education in Paris because of the proximity. My research laboratory was just visa a vie on the other bank of Seine Heart broken

Opinion Rebuilt in 3 years.

Opinion I suspect terrorism...............

Opinion I see a lesson for the French somewhere in here, the most agnostic place in Europe 🤔

Opinion

Opinion Very sad. What a tragedy and lost to the world? But does it mean that there are no fire sprinklers in such historical and magnificent structure?

Opinion JeanneMoos should not be making light of the tragedy at NotreDamedeParis. Shame on you & her!

Opinion it's just a symbol time does not stop on the contrary 😇🌺😇

Opinion Nobody knows more about fighting Cathedral fires than Donald Trump!

Opinion This proves God is only a myth

Opinion Oh my god!! Too much sadness!!

Opinion Nothing last forever. 😢

Opinion Hope it's not ture...

Opinion Democrats rejoice at this tragedy

Opinion No material thing is to last forever, not even every living being. We commence, evolve, mature and die. People lose home even our lives due to natural disasters. This can be rebuilt a persons soul is more then bricks and stones.

Opinion The war is coming

Opinion Heart breaking!

Opinion 你妈的，为什么

Opinion 'some people did something' the truth will come out.

Opinion Looks hotter than a Cajun Fish sandwich available for a limited time at Arby’s!

Opinion Just in CNN has learned from an unnameable source the fire was more than likely started by Trump.

Opinion Oh no!!!

Opinion Priceless artwork and sculptures are lost forever.

Opinion Are you sure? On TV all you are discussing is Trump?

Opinion No we get written good books what’s your mean

Opinion Accident? Or the new immigrants they welcomed with open arms. We will get the truth soon enough.

Opinion Is NotreDame The Greatest Site In France?

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Donald Trump encourages France to use 'flying water tankers' as Notre Dame Cathedral burns'So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris,' the president wrote. 'Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!' He knows more about firefighting than the firemen, ok? I think Donald ought to run in there doused in gasoline with a squirt gun. Somebody get on that, please. Must he chime in on everything?
Source: CNBC - 🏆 12. / 72 Read more »

Cnbc @CNBCWATCH: Fire engulfs the historic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France. Welp planned my Paris trip a day too late This is so sad. This comes after Steve Bannon said he was coming after the Pope Omg that’s horrible. Such a. Beautiful historic church
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With Notre Dame aflame, witnesses sing ‘Ave Maria’ in the streets of ParisRising above the flames, came a chorus of voices - uniting in song as they mourned their beloved cathedral. It’s almost as if GeorgeRRMartin_ wrote this into the final season as a warning Kings Of Leon - Sex on Fire (Official Music Video) - YouTube
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'I don't have words for this': Devastated Parisians watch in shock as Notre Dame Cathedral burnsWhen the spire fell soon after the blaze started, the crowd on the Right Bank and on the Pont Saint-Michel collectively groaned. Everyone prayed La France, terre benite I’m sure the praying really helped
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Fire breaks out at top of Notre Dame Cathedral in ParisParis police say there is a fire at the French capital's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. Flames and black smoke were seen shooting out from the base of the medieval church's spire, which is undergoing renovation. church fire in gay paree our lady of the burning roof I had a 'hunch' that would happen.. :(
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‘Terrible Fire’ at Notre Dame Cathedral in ParisA “terrible fire” is raging at the historic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, the mayor’s office says. Liberals don’t care, they hate religion and anything associated with it. 💔 Goddamn hunchback idiot!
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Ex-Notre Dame, NFL running back Wood arrested on murder chargesFormer NFL and Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood was scheduled to appear in co... 🔥 Iraq Wil:ayah - North Baghdad 📰 | Murt:addin Arrested in Their Homes and Other Houses Targeted Within the Battle Dubbed 'Vengeance for Blessed Sham Wilayah' ♨️ NationalPetDay 🏡🏡 What does his football career record have to do with the death of the little girl? Please stop identifying affiliations unless they are relevant to the story.
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Famed Notre Dame Cathedral ablaze in ParisFamed Notre Dame Cathedral is on fire in Paris Finally some good news So long, Quasimoto. It was nice knowin' ya! 🙄
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Fire at Notre Dame cathedral: Live updatesPolice in Paris say the Notre Dame cathedral is on fire. Follow for live updates. Terrorism What they said is that the van was in the right place, and it is still easy to find the passenger. Are they going to say that the fire started in 2 places 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 truth will be covered up
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