The Hennessy cognac house is joining the collective effort to rebuild the framework of the spire of Notre-Dame de Paris by donating 36 century-old oak trees.
The House of cognac Hennessy is heavily involved in the French forests from which the oak wood is sourced for the manufacture of barrels in which its wines mature. Premium CognacsIt has entrusted the public institution Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, which is managing the restoration project, with 36 century-old oak trees from the Celle forest in Allier, in central France, which it owns.
For the spire of Notre-Dame de Paris, the hundred-year-old oaks of the Celle forest
The spire designed by Viollet-le-Duc was a true masterpiece, standing nearly 100 meters high, but it was lost in the fire of April 15, 2019 and has now been rebuilt using original materials, including solid oak for the frame.
The Hennessy cognac house, owner of a historic forest managed with the utmost respect for the environment, wished to be part of this spirit of solidarity by making 36 century-old oak trees available. To do this, it brought together all the expertise of the timber and forestry sector, from forestry experts to lumberjacks, to select, harvest, and prepare this wood, including the selection of the 1 oaks needed to restore the framework of the spire as well as the two arms of the transept.
« Hennessy is proud to be one of the patrons of the restoration of the roof structure of Notre-Dame de Paris, donating 36 century-old oak trees from the Celle forest. This commitment to protecting a world cultural heritage based on our natural heritage is a wonderful symbol. ", underlines the President of Hennessy, Laurent Boillot.
« I would like to thank the oak donors who made it possible to gather the many beautiful pieces of wood needed for the reconstruction of Viollet-le-Duc's spire and especially the Maison Hennessy. Thank you to all those who got involved, the donors, the patrons, the architects, the engineers, the foresters, the carpenters and so many others. The spire, a symbol of the cathedral's renewal, will rise into the Parisian sky along with the necessary scaffolding and should reach a height of 96 meters by the end of this year. This is a real joy for everyone and a clear sign of the progress of the project to reopen Notre-Dame de Paris on December 8, 2024. ", declared Philippe Jost, President of the public institution Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris.
Wood is at the heart of Maison Hennessy's business.
Since its creation, the activities of the Hennessy cognac house have kept it closely linked to the forest, which has been further strengthened since the 1970s when it became the manager of 538 hectares of its own forest.
Recently, Maison Hennessy launched a sponsorship program with the ONF to ensure the sustainable and rational management of the Braconne forest in Charente, which has a long history in the Cognac industry, with the objective of planting 35 oak trees on the 000 hectares of land within 25 years.
Furthermore, to accelerate actions in favor of the common good, Hennessy launched the program in 2020 Forest Destination, with the aim of regenerating 50 hectares of forests between 000 and 2020, in France and around the world.
About Hennessy cognacs
Hennessy is a French company founded in 1765 by Richard Hennessy, an Irish officer in the service of the King of France. Specializing in the production and marketing of cognac, it is today the world leader in this market and the leading premium spirits brand in the world. Hennessy has the largest reserve of cognac eaux-de-vie in the world, with more than 470 barrels resting in its cellars. It masters all stages of cognac production, from the selection of grape varieties to the art of blending, including aging in oak barrels. Hennessy is also committed to protecting its terroir and promoting thelifestyle French style. She collaborates with renowned artists, designers, and chefs to create limited editions, prestigious carafes, and gastronomic pairings.
About Notre-Dame de Paris
Notre-Dame de Paris is a Gothic cathedral located on the Île de la Cité, in the heart of the French capital. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is the seat of the Archdiocese of Paris. It was built between the 2019th and 2024th centuries and has undergone numerous modifications and restorations over the centuries. It is famous for its architecture, stained-glass windows, organ, bells, treasury, and gargoyles. It has witnessed many historical, religious, and cultural events, such as the coronation of Napoleon, the beatification of Joan of Arc, and Victor Hugo's novel. It was severely damaged by fire in April XNUMX, which destroyed its spire, roof structure, and part of its vault. Since then, it has undergone a major restoration project, with the aim of reopening it to the public in XNUMX. It remains a place of worship and prayer, as well as a symbol of French history and identity.
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