10 Euro France 2024 - Notre-Dame

This coin, with its unique shape, pays tribute to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a symbol of Gothic architecture. Its inner design depicts the building in its most streamlined form, drawing inspiration from the contours of an ogival arch adorned with quatrefoils, typical of the Gothic style. Rather than using a rectangular format, the Monnaie de Paris chose to capture the cathedral’s elegance through this arch, with Eugène Viollet-le-Duc’s reconstructed spire serving as the mullion and the new statue of the rooster atop it, created during the reconstruction work. The pointed arch also references the building’s iconic stained-glass windows. The face value and the year, symbolizing the reopening of Notre-Dame to the public, are inscribed on the cathedral’s façade.

The reverse side of the coin takes us inside the cathedral, revealing the renovated choir with its new liturgical furnishings. We can also see the roof structure of Notre-Dame, a complex interweaving of wooden trusses, faithfully representing the roof structure that was reconstructed to be identical to the original. Joaquín Jiménez’s signature and the letters “RF” appear on this side.

Construction of Notre-Dame de Paris began in the 12th century under the leadership of Bishop Maurice de Sully; it is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. A religious, historical, and cultural monument, it has witnessed many significant events in French history, such as Napoleon’s coronation and the marriage of Marguerite de Valois. After suffering damage during the revolutions, the cathedral was restored in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc. Today, it remains a place of pilgrimage, inspiration, and admiration for millions of visitors from around the world.