French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday officially reopened the iconic towers of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris for public visits, marking one of the final milestones in the extensive restoration following the catastrophic fire of April 15, 2019. The reopening comes just ahead of the public debut this weekend, allowing visitors to climb 424 steps for panoramic views of the French capital.
Since Notre Dame itself reopened in December 2024, nearly 30,000 visitors per day have streamed through its doors to witness the Gothic landmark’s remarkable restoration. Macron, who has overseen reconstruction efforts since the fire, led the inauguration, hosting world leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Britain’s Prince William, and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The reopening of the towers fulfills Macron’s promise to restore the cathedral within roughly five years, a significant achievement amid domestic political challenges.
Macron received the first tour of the newly restored towers, offering close-up views of the cathedral’s famed gargoyles. Visitors will follow a roughly 45-minute route starting in the south tower and ascending to the belfry, with improved viewpoints and visitor spaces, according to Philippe Jost, Macron’s lead on the reconstruction. Tickets for the tower tours, priced at 16 euros (around $19), must be purchased online, with only 19 people allowed per tour. The first two days sold out in just 24 minutes.
Restoration costs approached $1 billion, Jost noted, requiring the stabilization of the 12th-century structure, encasing it in scaffolding, and employing hundreds of artisans using modern tools such as drones and computer animation. Safety upgrades include metal trusses dividing the roof into three sections to prevent future fires.
Although the tower reopening is the final major stage, additional work remains, particularly on the cathedral’s eastern apse. Jost emphasized that ongoing repairs not related to the fire will continue to ensure the cathedral is fully restored and preserved for the future.
Comments
Post a Comment