The fire at the Bazar de la Charité is one of the worst disasters in the history of Paris. An event that deeply scarred an entire generation at the end of the 19th century. The Notre Dame de Consolation chapel is its memorial. A building in dire need of renovation.
May 4, 1897. Every year since 1885 the Bazar de la Charité meets to organize a large charity sale. All the Parisian bourgeoisie gathered on rue Jean Goujon in the 8th arrondissement of Paris for this flea market whose profit was intended for the poorest. A film screening is organized there with the help of a lamp powered by ether. Vapors escape, catch fire…and cause one of the deadliest fires in the history of Paris. 125 dead, including 118 women and many seriously injured.
A few years later, in tribute to these victims, a memorial was erected on the same land where the disaster took place. This is the Notre Dame de Consolation chapel. But over the years the religious building deteriorated and suffered attacks from bad weather and pollution from the city. The roof is no longer able to ensure waterproofing.
A renovation project was then launched, but there was still a lot of funds to be raised before the work could begin, and in particular the rehabilitation of the domes covered in zinc, copper and lead.
