“The greatest products of architecture,” wrote Victor Hugo, “are less the works of individuals than of society.” Notre-Dame, the writer suggested, was the collective achievement of an entire culture. And it will take an entire society to rebuild it after Monday’s fire.

The impetus to rebuild is powerful. President Emmanuel Macron has already promised to do so. But a restoration like this will take more than just money. It requires a meticulous, forensic examination and deep thought about what exactly it is that is being rebuilt.

Financial Times