There is a celebration for the transformation.
After five years of restoration, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen on December 7-8, following the devastating fire that destroyed parts of the historic building in April 2019. The fire caused significant damage, including the destruction of the iconic spire and much of the wooden roof. French President Emmanuel Macron, who had pledged to restore the cathedral within five years, expressed gratitude for the restoration work, calling it a remarkable achievement. He praised the effort, noting that the cathedral’s restoration was a symbol of resilience and renewal.
The restoration project was funded by over €846 million ($888 million) in donations from more than 340,000 people worldwide. This allowed for the careful reconstruction of Notre Dame’s structures while maintaining its historical integrity. One of the key aspects of the restoration was the recreation of the spire, which was designed to match the original 19th-century plans by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Additionally, more than 1,200 oak trees were felled to rebuild the roof’s intricate timber framework, in a process that mirrored the techniques used by the original builders.
Inside the cathedral, cleaning and restoration efforts have brought back the brilliance of Notre Dame’s stained-glass windows and stonework. The bells of the northern belfry rang again for the first time since the fire, marking a hopeful milestone in the restoration process. The return of sacred relics, including the statue of the Virgin Mary and the Crown of Thorns, which were saved from the fire, has been particularly significant for many.
The completion of the restoration has been hailed as a national triumph, with over 2,000 workers, including craftsmen, architects, and artisans, contributing to the effort. Although some surrounding areas will continue to be worked on until 2030, the cathedral itself is ready to reopen as a center of Christian worship and cultural heritage. It is expected to draw even more visitors than before, with projections of 14 to 15 million annual visitors. The reopening will be marked by a special consecration Mass, symbolizing the cathedral’s spiritual and cultural renewal.