LEGO releases Notre Dame model without cross

LEGO has released a model of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris but they have left off the cross that is present on the spire. The cathedral's spire, showing a cross and a rooster, has been replaced by LEGO with just a spire.

According to the listing for the set on LEGO's website, the kit takes the builder "on a historic building journey beginning in 1163, when the first stone was laid, through architect Viollet-le-Duc’s redesign work in the 19th century to Notre-Dame’s majestic appearance before the fire of 2019."

It also states that the builder's "journey follows that of the actual Notre Dame cathedral, starting with its curved back and ending with the spire," despite leaving off the cross.



In 2019, tragedy struck when the Catholic landmark was engulfed in flames and the spire and roof were destroyed. Following the fire, the cathedral's parvis area opened to the public in May 2020, along with the archaeological crypt. In September 2022, the Pont au Double footbridge opened as well. 
 

After raising 840 million Euros (over $880 million), architect Philippe Villeneuve was tasked to restore the structure identically to its "last known state."

The restoration has progressed over the past 5 years and is set to be completed by the end of 2024, with the goal of the famed cathedral being restored by the Summer Olympics in Paris. 

The Cathedral's new spire and cross were unveiled in February.

This is not the first instance of LEGO sparking controversy with its sets. In June of 2021, the company launched a genderless LGBTQ figure set for Pride month, entitled "Everyone is Awesome."

It included the modified LGBT flag with pink, blue, black, and brown colors added in and a drag queen character.

The company became part of an encompassing boycott in 2023 when the kit resurfaced on conservative social media users' platforms, per New York Post.