Notre Dame cathedral, some of the cherished symbols of French heritage and Christian devotion, is ready to reopen its doors after a five-year restoration following the devastating fire that engulfed it on 15 April 2019.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who famously pledged to rebuild the cathedral inside five years, toured the finished structure in November, expressing gratitude for the extraordinary efforts which have brought it back to life.
“You have transformed ashes into art,” he told those present, highlighting the immense skill and dedication involved within the reconstruction.
The fire, which destroyed the famous spire, much of the cathedral’s wood roof, and parts of its stone structure, left Parisians and onlookers around the globe in mourning. The inferno also covered the cathedral’s nave, which risked collapse, prompting an urgent and extensive restoration effort.
Now, after years of painstaking work, the restored cathedral will once more welcome the faithful and visitors on seventh and eighth December, reclaiming its place as each a spiritual beacon and a cultural treasure.
The restoration has been a triumph of expertise, faith, and unity. More than €846 million (£727 million) was donated by 340,000 supporters from 150 countries, highlighting the worldwide respect for this Christian place of worship. The funds enabled the meticulous reconstruction of Notre Dame and the preservation of its architectural integrity, ensuring it stays a testament to the vision and dedication of its original builders.
The strategy of reconstruction was rooted in authenticity and reverence for history. The latest spire, a faithful replica of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc’s Nineteenth-century design, was crafted using techniques harking back to medieval craftsmanship. Its base now supports a golden phoenix, symbolising resurrection and renewal.
“The cathedral may be reborn from the ashes, like a phoenix,” commented restoration architect Philippe Villeneuve, who envisioned a weathervane bird with “wings of fireplace” on top of the cathedral spire.
Over 1,200 oak trees, some as old as 230 years, were felled to recreate the roof’s intricate timber framework, often known as la forêt (“the forest”). These beams were fastidiously shaped and transported along the River Seine, echoing the woodworking practices of the cathedral’s original carpenters.
Inside, the cathedral’s transformation is awe-inspiring. The columns and partitions, meticulously cleaned of centuries of grime, now radiate with a brilliance unseen in modern times. Notre Dame’s famed stained-glass windows, including the three majestic rose windows, have been restored to their original vibrancy, allowing their intricate designs and vivid colors to once more flood the inside with hues of sunshine.
The restoration of the cathedral’s bells, including those damaged in the fireplace, marks one other significant milestone. In early November, the eight bells of the northern belfry rang out for the primary time because the disaster, their sound resonating as a logo of hope and continuity.
For many, the return of the almost-intact statue of the Virgin Mary to its rightful place was particularly moving, as was the preservation of the Crown of Thorns, a relic that firefighters risked their lives to save lots of through the blaze.
Monseigneur Patrick Chauvet, former rector of Notre Dame, recalled his first glimpse of the inside after the flames had been extinguished, describing it as an “apocalyptic vision.” He added, “I have never fully recovered from it; it’s engraved within the depths of my being.”
President Macron reflected on the restoration effort, praising the two,000 employees whose expertise made it possible, including artisans, architects, and craftspeople who utilised centuries-old methods to make sure authenticity.
“The blaze at Notre Dame was a national wound, and you’ve gotten been its treatment through will, through work, through commitment,” he remarked, adding that the cathedral’s reopening might be a “shock of hope”.
Although work on the forecourt and surrounding areas will proceed until 2030, the cathedral itself is able to resume its role as a spot of Christian worship, reflection, and inspiration. A consecration mass and the dedication of a latest altar will mark the reopening, symbolising a spiritual rebirth and a triumphant return for this architectural masterpiece.
According to church authorities, Notre Dame welcomed 12 million visitors in 2017 and, following the restoration, now expects to receive a fair higher figure of 14 to fifteen million through the coming yr.
