This weekend, the whole world will be fixated on the French capital. And for good reason, after a devastating fire and 5 years of work, Notre-Dame de Paris is finally getting ready to reopen its doors, with around fifty heads of state coming from all over the globe, as well as French and international artists and a crowd of curious onlookers. Let me tell you, dear Parisians, it will likely be difficult to get close to the monument for a while. Fortunately, starting this Sunday, December 8, you’ll be able to admire a strikingly realistic replica, and even more exciting. For that, head to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
© Sadiksansvoltaire
Nearly 3000 hours of work
It's simply an extraordinary piece imagined by Baptiste Moreau, a contributor at École Valrhona, to celebrate Notre-Dame de Paris who, like a phoenix, has just risen from its ashes. A massive chocolate construction, measuring 2.20 meters long, 1.50 wide, and 1.40 high. A replica of stunning precision, created in collaboration with architect Philippe Velu, which took nearly 3000 hours of work, the equivalent of two months without a break.
La maison Valrhona dévoile une réplique en chocolat en hommage de Notre-Dame de Paris pic.twitter.com/moPmM8YPSw
— Histoire de France (@HistoiredeFran7) December 3, 2024
To recreate the unique Gothic architecture of the most famous Parisian monument, the team had to employ several precise techniques. The gargoyles and other rose windows were handcrafted, and the most detailed cutting was done using water jet, thanks to the company Hydroprocess, which specializes in this process. This was a way for the house to weave once again connections between pastry and cultural heritage, something it strives to do every day within its school. Last year, Valrhona also created the spire of the Sainte-Chapelle, a chocolate sculpture over 1.70 meters tall, as part of the exhibition Paris, Capital of Gastronomy, from the Middle Ages.
to our days, at the Conciergerie.
© Sadiksansvoltaire
An Exhibition Piece
And to our delight, this chocolate cathedral will be on display soon, as it will be showcased starting this Sunday, December 8 at the heart of Terminal 1 of the Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport. It will be there for quite a month, until January 15, before it (hopefully) goes on a little adventure in a traveling exhibition. We wish we could say that there will be fewer people to admire this chocolate replica than the real one (for which the ticket sales are already open), but sadly, we honestly think that would be a lie.
, Roissy is not exactly known for being the most deserted place on the planet. But no matter what happens, we find the concept pretty cool, and we think that it's worth it.