France's Macron sees Notre Dame cathedral's restoration more than 5 years after it was gutted by fire

The historic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen on December 7, 2023, following an extensive five-year restoration project that cost approximately 700 million euros ($739 million) funded through donations from 150 countries.

Al Jazeera

The historic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen on December 7, 2023, following an extensive five-year restoration project that cost approximately 700 million euros ($739 million) funded through donations from 150 countries.

The restoration project mobilized roughly 2,000 craftspeople, including stonemasons, carpenters, sculptors, and organ builders, who worked to restore the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece after a devastating fire in April 2019.

France 24

The restoration project mobilized roughly 2,000 craftspeople, including stonemasons, carpenters, sculptors, and organ builders, who worked to restore the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece after a devastating fire in April 2019.

The renovation included cleaning 42,000 square meters of stone, restoring 8,000 organ pipes, rebuilding the wooden framework roof known as 'the forest,' and reconstructing the 96-meter-tall spire that collapsed during the fire.

The Associated Press

The renovation included cleaning 42,000 square meters of stone, restoring 8,000 organ pipes, rebuilding the wooden framework roof known as 'the forest,' and reconstructing the 96-meter-tall spire that collapsed during the fire.

Modern safety features have been discreetly integrated into the restored cathedral, including thermal cameras, fireproof barriers, and a misting system capable of delivering 600 cubic meters of water per hour.

Modern safety features have been discreetly integrated into the restored cathedral, including thermal cameras, fireproof barriers, and a misting system capable of delivering 600 cubic meters of water per hour.

The cathedral's limestone walls have been cleaned to their original cream color, revealing mason marks from medieval builders and creating a brighter atmosphere enhanced by restored stained-glass windows.

The cathedral's limestone walls have been cleaned to their original cream color, revealing mason marks from medieval builders and creating a brighter atmosphere enhanced by restored stained-glass windows.

Church authorities expect annual visitor numbers to increase from 12 million pre-fire to 14-15 million after reopening, with the Catholic Church maintaining free admission despite suggestions to charge entrance fees.

Church authorities expect annual visitor numbers to increase from 12 million pre-fire to 14-15 million after reopening, with the Catholic Church maintaining free admission despite suggestions to charge entrance fees.

The restoration represents a triumph of French craftsmanship and determination, successfully meeting President Macron's ambitious five-year deadline while making the cathedral even more beautiful than before through meticulous attention to historical detail and preservation of cultural heritage.

The restoration represents a triumph of French craftsmanship and determination, successfully meeting President Macron's ambitious five-year deadline while making the cathedral even more beautiful than before through meticulous attention to historical detail and preservation of cultural heritage.

Notre-Dame Cathedral restoration 'overwhelming,' France's Macron says ahead of reopening

The modernization efforts and rapid reconstruction timeline may have compromised the cathedral's historical authenticity, with some original medieval elements lost forever and new materials and techniques potentially altering the building's character.

The modernization efforts and rapid reconstruction timeline may have compromised the cathedral's historical authenticity, with some original medieval elements lost forever and new materials and techniques potentially altering the building's character.

Notre-Dame Cathedral Rises from Ashes After 5-Year Restoration

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