A few thoughts:
1. France used to be "the Eldest Daughter of The Church"
2. The corruption of the best is the worst. France is now the worst.
3. France, and Catholic Europe in general, is much more decadent than the United States for example.
4. The French have had this beautiful reminder of their Catholic past, Christendom, and the Tridentine Mass for how many decades and centuries? And did it convert them? No, as a whole the French have spit on this beautiful grace from God to convert them.
5. God's mercy will not be trampled upon forever. God has now withdrawn this mercy.
6. If the White House burned to the ground, that building is only what, 150 years old? This building is 800+ years old.
7. Although the White House is more iconic and easily recognizable to Americans, that is not true for the whole world. If you count the whole world, Notre Dame is MUCH more famous, visited, and noticeable than the White House. Many more movies and books worldwide, throughout history, feature Notre Dame than the White House.