Résumé
The chronology of the medieval construction site of Notre-Dame de Paris is primarily based on written sources. However, investigations conducted within the framework of the MC/CNRS scientific project by the Wood, Metal, and Stone working groups have now made it possible to establish new solid chronological benchmarks for the study of the cathedral. Indeed, many questions remain regarding the chronology of Notre-Dame de Paris, both for the choir and the nave. When exactly did the construction of the new Gothic cathedral begin? How and at what pace was it carried out? How did the different phases of construction succeed and connect with each other? The written records, which are scarce and sometimes questionable due to the unreliable nature of certain sources, provide only a simplified chronology and leave a series of issues insufficiently addressed. Dendrochronological analyses of the high nave’s wooden framework were conducted between 1991 and 1996, but no other material analyses had been undertaken before the scientific project. Today, thanks to the study of archaeological remains following the fire and the presence of scientists on the restoration site, new data is available. On the one hand, dendrochronological studies on the lower sections of the choir have been added to the much more numerous analyses of the frameworks. On the other hand, radiocarbon dating has been performed on iron staples and dowels found in various parts of the monument’s masonry. These new findings provide unprecedented documentation that allows for a fresh reconsideration of the cathedral’s chronology. The sharing and cross-referencing of these material clues obtained through absolute dating methods represent an innovative approach to studying Notre-Dame de Paris and contribute to the field of medieval construction history. Moreover, correlating these data with the study of textual sources is essential to outline a new phasing of the construction, which can now be associated with reliable chronological markers. Thus, the case study of Notre-Dame de Paris highlights the importance of centralizing, sharing results, and combining absolute and relative dating methods.