Paris’s Gothic jewel Notre-Dame to reopen five years after fire
4 min readFive years after a catastrophic fire ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the iconic Gothic structure is set to reopen to the public, with a televised tour led by President Emmanuel Macron. On Friday, Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte and Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich, will take part in a ceremony to mark the imminent reopening of the cathedral. This event kicks off a series of ceremonies culminating in the official “entry” into the cathedral on December 7 and the first Catholic Mass the following day.
The restoration, which has cost an estimated €700 million (£582 million), is a symbol of resilience and dedication. For the first time, the public will catch a glimpse of the cathedral’s renewed grandeur. The restoration work has remained largely secret, with only occasional glimpses of the progress shared with the public. However, insiders report that visitors will be awe-struck by the transformation, with the cathedral’s interior now bathed in natural light, bringing out the brilliance of the immaculate white stone that had been hidden for centuries. The splendor of the cathedral’s interior is set to leave a lasting impression on visitors.
The fire that ravaged the cathedral on April 15, 2019, shocked the world as live broadcasts showed flames engulfing the roof and, eventually, the 19th-century spire collapsing. While the structure had been showing signs of wear before the fire, it was undergoing renovations at the time, which may have been a factor in the blaze’s ignition. The fire could have been caused by a discarded cigarette or an electrical fault.
Over 600 firefighters battled the blaze for 15 hours, and at one point, there were fears that the tower bells could fall, potentially causing even more destruction. Thankfully, the cathedral’s basic structure was saved. The most significant damage was to the spire, the wooden beams of the roof (known as the “forest”), and parts of the stone vaulting over the transept. Water and debris also caused considerable damage.
Fortunately, many priceless elements of the cathedral survived the fire. These include the stained-glass windows, most of the statues, and the famous Crown of Thorns relic. The organ, the second-largest in France, was badly affected but is expected to be repaired. The cathedral clergy even celebrated a few “miraculés”—miraculous survivors of the fire. These include a 14th-century statue of the Virgin of the Pillar, which narrowly avoided being crushed by falling debris, and the sixteen large copper statues of the Apostles that had been removed just days before the fire for renovations.
In the wake of the fire, President Macron made a bold promise to reopen Notre-Dame within five years, a goal many thought was overly ambitious. To make this happen, a public body was created to manage the restoration. A massive fundraising campaign garnered €846 million, with significant contributions from large sponsors as well as small donations from the public.
General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who was tasked with overseeing the project, earned praise for his leadership. He was instrumental in navigating the complex restoration but tragically died in an accident in August 2023, just a year before the project’s completion. His successor, Philippe Jost, has continued his work, overseeing the efforts of around 2,000 workers—masons, carpenters, restorers, and engineers—who contributed their expertise to the project. The restoration not only brought Notre-Dame back to life but also sparked a renaissance of French craftsmanship, with a resurgence of apprenticeships in traditional building trades.
The restoration process required significant decisions, particularly regarding whether to replicate the medieval structure faithfully or introduce modern elements. The public, as well as experts, rejected proposals for a more contemporary approach, such as a glass roof or a modern spire. Ultimately, the restoration stayed true to the original design, incorporating modern safety features, such as sprinklers and partitioning in the roof.
One point of contention, however, remains the design of stained-glass windows for six side chapels. President Macron has proposed a modern design for these windows, a move that has generated resistance within the arts community.
The reopening of Notre-Dame has become a symbol of national pride and determination, and Macron has made it a key theme in his presidency. Amidst his recent political challenges, the restoration offers a much-needed morale boost. Although some critics claim that he is trying to steal the limelight, Macron’s involvement was crucial in ensuring the project’s swift progress.
As the cathedral prepares to welcome visitors, the reopening serves as a testament to the collective will and dedication that brought the iconic monument back to life. The journey from destruction to restoration exemplifies the strength of both France’s heritage and its people, showcasing the remarkable resilience of Notre-Dame and its ability to rise from the ashes.