The images of the Notre-Dame fire, among the main symbolic monuments of France and Europe, have toured the world. Five years after this tragic event, the emblematic Paris cathedral is gradually regaining its magnificent appearance and is ready to welcome the public again. from December 8, 2024. At the same time, several important steps were taken during the first months of this year, such as the reconstruction of the famous spire designed by the architect Viollet-Le-Duc.
Notre-Dame before and after the fire
Declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Notre-Dame cathedral it has always been not only a religious place but also a symbol of art and culture and the national identity of the French. Its history, however, is somewhat trouble. In 2017, the Diocese of Paris launched a fundraiser to renovate one of the French icons in the world, to which the contributions of the State would have been added.
The cathedral was indeed threatened by erosion caused by air pollution and rainwater, but also by the enormous influx of tourists, more than 12 million visitors welcomed in far from optimal conditions, with long queues in the cemetery during the holiday periods and a chaotic route. between the naves and the various chapels. then fire which devastated it on April 15, 2019.
From the very beginning, the major construction site of one of the symbolic monuments of Paris, from France and throughout Europe, has been the subject of heated debates about the techniques to use and the style to choose. Ultimately, the authorities opted for a identical reconstruction to the original cathedral. For the restoration of the spire, wood from century-old oaks from the Bercé forest in Sarthe was used, chosen for its strength, durability and plasticity. However, there was no shortage controversialsuch as those relating to the fate of the stained glass windows of Notre-Dame, between those who prefer to preserve history and those who aim for innovation.
At what stage is the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral?
Those visiting Paris for the Olympic and Paralympic Games will already be able to admire the iconic this summer arrow of Viollet-le-Duc, whose reconstruction was completed last February, allowing it to regain its place in the skyline of the French capital, with its peak reaching up to 96 meters.
In April 2019, the penacle was devoured by flames and collapsed, causing damage to the entire central part of the cathedral. At the top of the spire, the cross and a new rooster overlooking the cathedral. The sculpture, designed by architect Phillipe Villeneuve, is made of copper and covered with a layer of gold.
Inside the cathedral, the removal of the presbytery scaffolding allows us to rediscover the beautiful furniture and the big ones works of art which have never left the building, notably the marble and bronze statues of the vow of Louis XIII and the pictorial decorations of the choir chapels, which now reveal their colors and all their beauty. 8,000 pipes of the great organ They were reinstalled after being cleaned, while the harmonization process began. In the coming months, they will also be fully restored roofs of the nave and choir.
Although much of the work has already been completed, it will continue even after the church reopens to the public. THE next steps of the reconstruction of Notre-Dame provide for the restoration of the apse and sacristy in 2025 and the installation, by 2026Of contemporary stained glass windowswhose construction is currently the subject of a call for tenders. Highly appreciated by French and international visitors, Notre-Dame Cathedral is expected to welcome between 12 and 15 million people per year when it reopens, compared to 10 to 12 million people before the fire.
While waiting for the reopening, those who wish can participate in an immersive virtual reality experience called “Eternelle Notre-Dame”, accessible from the square, which allows you to immerse yourself in the heart of the history of the cathedral and its treasures, from its construction in the Middle Ages to the current restoration project.