Cathedrale Notre-Dame of Paris. I think the most famous cathedral in the world. In December 2024, the cathedral reopened to the general public after years of restoration. I will definitely go there once this year. But if you don’t live a few hours away like me, you can still admire the cathedral up close. With this set LEGO 21061 Notre-Dame de Paris you can. Read why this is a must have set for anyone who loves LEGO, architecture and cathedrals.
Notre-Dame of Paris: Iconic Gothic Structure
This LEGO set is unique in many ways, but most notably because it is a religious building. Although LEGO has a policy against making religious sets, they chose to recreate the famous cathedral due to its great cultural and historical significance.
The Notre-Dame de Paris, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, was built between 1163 and 1345. The basilica of Saint-Denis, located 10 km away, served as a significant inspiration. Built in the 12th century, the Saint-Denis introduced innovative architectural techniques such as pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. Later, they were applied in the construction of the Notre-Dame de Paris.
These techniques allowed for taller and lighter structures, characteristic of the Gothic style. Notre-Dame de Paris built upon these innovations and refined them, leading to one of the most iconic Gothic structures in the world.
In April 2019, the Notre-Dame was struck by a devastating fire that garnered worldwide attention and sorrow. This event once again highlighted the cultural and historical significance of this beautiful church.
Step into the Shoes of the Master Builder
The LEGO set consists of no less than 4,383 (relatively small) pieces. Thoughtfully designed by LEGO, the construction follows more or less the sequence in which the actual Notre-Dame cathedral was built. You start with the choir and finish with the spire, allowing you to step into the shoes of the master builder.
The set features beautiful details such as the iconic rose windows and the exact number of flying buttresses. You can remove the roof to admire the internal columns and arches. For added decoration, you can place trees along one side of the cathedral and attach the nameplate to the base. Unfortunately, the organ is missing, but that could be a LEGO set in itself.
Of course, the cathedral isn’t overly detailed, as it is a set from the Architecture series on a microscale. It will be interesting to see if, after the successful introduction of this design, a larger, more detailed model will be considered.
One critical note: the cathedral features round arches instead of the pointed arches characteristic of Gothic architecture. Fortunately, you will find these pointed arches on the facade of the LEGO structure.
Fun and Educational
In addition to the building experience, the LEGO Architecture 21061 set also offers educational value. LEGO has done a great job by including a booklet with information about the history and architecture of Notre-Dame, including details about the restorations and the cathedral’s role in French culture. This makes it not only a fun but also an educational activity, perfect for getting your children excited about cathedrals!
You can order the LEGO 21061 Notre-Dame de Paris and bring Gothic architecture into your home. Don’t wait too long: this set is promised to be a valuable collector’s item. Its popularity is even expected to increase as the cathedral reopens after renovations in December 2024.
Challenge: Design Your Own Notre-Dame!
We challenge you to show your creativity! Use the Notre-Dame set, or combine multiple LEGO sets, to design your own cathedral. Send photos of your creations to LUX, and readers will vote for the best design. Who knows, your creation might be featured on our website!
Specifications
- LEGO Architecture 21061 Notre-Dame de Paris
- Price: around € 200,-
- Size: 55,5 x 37,8 x 13,2 centimeter
- Items: 4383
