Almost eight months before the reopening of Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral, where a tragic fire broke out on 15 April 2019, scaffolding has been removed from the rebuilt spire. This is a milestone in the ongoing intensive and difficult conservation and reconstruction work of this one of Europe’s most precious monuments. The Minister of Culture attended the ceremony to assess the effect of the restoration. The signal box once again adorns the Parisian sky. Other work is progressing at the same time, including the installation of the roof on the nave and choir. The restoration of the cathedral is scheduled for completion on 8 December 2024.
Inside the cathedral, following the completion of the restoration of the façade and vaulting in the nave, choir and other fire-damaged parts of the monument, the re-installation of the stone floor slabs and the restoration of the historic woodwork and artistic furniture in the choir has begun. At the same time, new technical networks and a completely new and advanced fire protection system are being installed to prevent similar accidents in the future.
As part of the work on the new signal box, a solid oak spire structure was first installed, topped with a crown, cross and cockerel since last December. The structure was covered with lead cladding and more than a hundred lead ornaments and elements. Since mid-February, the completed upper part of the silhouette of the spire, designed in the 19th century by the French architect Viollet-le-Duc, has been gradually stripped of its scaffolding, allowing the magnificent result of many hours of work by roofers and carpenters to show through. Work will move to the lower parts of the signature spire in the coming weeks.
Notre-Dame before and after the fire. Photo Based on File:DSF2258 (46876319594).jpg and File:Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris 16 avril 2019.jpg., Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
At the end of 2023, the restoration of the three gables was completed, where the symbolic topping out was hung. The monumental statues, including Christ, restored in the workshop, returned there. Inside the cathedral, furniture that had been dismantled for conservation has returned to the choir. Work is also underway on the huge organ, which has 8,000 pipes. Renovation has also included sculptures, all marble and furnishings such as metal grilles and woodwork, as well as the painting decorations of the choir chapels, which are regaining their colours and full beauty. The interior is also gradually being brightened up by the re-installed stained glass windows, which had suffered greatly from the high temperatures.
“I wanted to come to Notre-Dame and see the immense work carried out by the builders and craftsmen under the direction of the Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, the public institution responsible for the restoration of the Paris cathedral. Thanks to their efforts, the temple will be reborn in accordance with the deadline set by the French President. What particularly struck me was the halo of restored luminosity of our cathedral,” said Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture.
Source: press materials of the Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris
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