Image of Notre Dame Cathedral created out of lego blocks by Lionel Baudot in 2023
Paris - LEGO has revealed plans for a new architecture set in 2024, featuring the renowned Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
The LEGO Notre Dame Cathedral set will debut approximately six months ahead of the expected reopening of the historic Parisian landmark.
The Notre Dame Cathedral will claim the title of the largest architecture set ever crafted by LEGO. While currently, the Taj Mahal and Himeji Castle hold that distinction with slightly over 2,000 pieces each, the new set is notably smaller than some of the LEGO Icons, such as the 9,000-piece Colosseum and the 10,000-piece Eiffel Tower.
The set is slated to hit store shelves on June 1, with a price tag of $229.99, making it the largest architecture set ever produced by LEGO. Unlike previous years, where multiple city skylines or landmarks were released, LEGO now focuses on meticulously recreating one iconic location each year.
While images of the new set have not been released, it is anticipated to make a significant statement. Despite LEGO's policy against creating religious sets, the choice to replicate the Catholic cathedral underscores the emphasis on its architectural value. Similar reasoning was applied to the Taj Mahal set released in 2019.
French President Emmanuel Macron, along with Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, visited the newly-built spire on Dec. 8, 2023, expressing confidence that the reconstruction would adhere to the set schedule.
The cathedral's iconic spire, which had stood at 315 feet tall, was tragically lost in a devastating fire on April 15, 2019.
Lionel Baudot, a resident of Metz, France, had previously created a strikingly similar model of Notre Dame Cathedral entirely from LEGO bricks. This impressive undertaking took place over 500 hours, spanning six months, during the Covid pandemic lockdown.
After several years of meticulous reconstruction, the spire reemerged on the skyline in November 2023. The ongoing reconstruction involves nearly 500 workers daily, focusing on waterproofing the oak with lead and restoring the cathedral's furnishings, statues, artwork, and organ.
While exterior renovations will extend for several more years, Notre Dame is anticipated to resume religious services and welcome visitors starting Dec. 8 of this year.