In 1506 the northern spire was struck by lightning; the structure was of wood covered with lead; a terrific storm raged from six in the evening till four in the morning, fanning the fire to such violence that the six bells were melted like cakes of wax.

The flames were, however kept within limits, and the church was refitted.

But the scourge returned many times; in 1539, in 1573, and in 1589 lightning fell on the new belfry.

Then a century elapsed before the visitation was repeated; in 1701 the same spire was struck again.
"It then stood uninjured till 1825, when a thunder-bolt fell and shook it severely on Whit Monday while the _Magnificat_ was being chanted at Vespers.
"Finally, on the 4th of June, 1836, a tremendous fire broke out, caused by the carelessness of two plumbers working under the roof.

It lasted eleven hours, and destroyed all the timbers, the whole forest that supported the roof; it was by a miracle that the church was not entirely consumed in this fury of fire." "You must allow, Monsieur, that there is something strange in this disaster without respite." "Yes, and what is still more strange," said the Abbe Gevresin, "Is the persistency of fire from heaven, bent on destroying it." "How do you account for that ?" asked Durtal.
"Sebastien Rouillard, the author of _Parthenie_, believes that these visitations were permitted as a punishment for certain sins, and he insinuates that the conflagration of the third Cathedral was justified by the misconduct of some pilgrims who at that time slept in the nave, men and women together.