GEODIS is transporting a replica of the Virgin of Notre-Dame de Paris through the dioceses of France

GEODIS, the world leader in transport and logistics, has been undertaking an exceptional mission since September 5, 2024: transporting across the dioceses of France an exact replica of the statue of Notre-Dame de Paris, the Virgin of the Pillar. This statue, dating from the 14th century, depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus. It miraculously escaped the in 2019. After having been taken to safety, a replica was installed in Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois church in Paris.

This “made-to-measure” transport service, commissioned by the Diocese of Paris and performed by GEODIS’s Distribution and Express Line of Business, will enable worshipers to contemplate this historic work of art before it is returned to Notre Dame. 

During a two-month period, GEODIS will cover more than 4,000 kilometers. The exceptional operation began when the statue was collected from Notre-Dame Cathedral on September 5. On the exhibition tour, GEODIS will transport the statue to Belfort, Lille, Gap, Versailles, Paris, Dijon, Rennes and Limoges. 

In addition to the national tour, the replica of the statue is featuring in a novena across Paris from November 7 to 15, where it is exhibited in 15 churches and chapels across the capital. During this Paris stage, GEODIS teams are responsible for moving and reinstalling the statue several times a day in different places of worship. A detailed schedule is in an appendix.

Charles-Louis de Vogüé, GEODIS regional director for Champagne-Ardenne-Est, said: “GEODIS is proud to be taking part in this unique mission, contributing to the preservation and promotion of France’s cultural and spiritual heritage. The Paris novena represents a real logistical challenge, requiring delicate handling and very precise planning so that the statue can be admired by the faithful throughout the capital.” 

To ensure the secure transport of this unique piece, GEODIS has designed bespoke packaging to contain the statue, which is more than 2 meters tall and weighs 150 kg, as well as another bespoke crate to contain the stand specially designed to display the statue.

GEODIS is also responsible for installing the statue on its display stand at each venue. Between each exhibition, the statue is housed in a GEODIS warehouse in Reims, where a thorough inspection is carried out, including checking the condition of the statue and the battery level of the display stand for the illumination of the statue.