During the French revolution the Cathedral was practically in ruins but it had gained popularity after Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Napoleon was crowned in 1804 and it marked an age of modern empire. His crowning was in the destroyed cathedral and Hugo’s novel made the idea of rebuilding much more popular. Napoleon’s coronation helped jumpstart the rebuilding of the Cathedral.

Willsher, Kim. “Our Lady of Paris: a History of Notre Dame Cathedral.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 15 Apr. 2019.

David, Jacques-Louis. Napoleon Bonaparte. 1813, Royal Scottish Academy, Scotland.