REVIVAL: See Inside The Fully Reconstructed Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral Prepares for Grand Reopening After Remarkable Restoration

Five years after a catastrophic fire ravaged the Notre Dame Cathedral, destroying its famed roof and spire, the world is getting its first look at the Paris landmark’s breathtaking restorations. The iconic structure is slated to reopen to worshippers and visitors in less than two weeks, marking a pivotal moment in its storied history.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the cathedral on Friday to inspect the progress of the massive restoration effort. The fire, which broke out in April 2019, caused extensive damage to the wooden roof—crafted centuries ago from ancient European forests—and destroyed artwork of international renown. Notre Dame’s famed spire was also lost, while its interior sustained severe damage.

Though investigators have never definitively determined the fire’s origin, officials believe the blaze was likely triggered by an accidental incident involving a lit cigarette or an electrical fault.

The French government has allocated more than $800 million to the restoration, which has seen the building rejuvenated to its former glory. Notre Dame is scheduled to reopen on December 7.

“This project was a human adventure of epic proportions in terms of building and prowess, involving the patient and dedicated work of a chain of talents working with one another passing the torch to those of the centuries to come,” Macron noted in an essay preceding his visit.

Accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron, and the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, the president explored the renewed cathedral. The visit was complemented by a stunning drone video showcasing the restored interior. The cathedral’s once-charred walls now gleam with a fresh white coat, while murals have been meticulously revived to their original hues. A newly installed altar and golden cross accentuate the refreshed design, and the oak wood destroyed in the fire has been completely replaced, laying the groundwork for future restoration and art projects.

Modern fire prevention systems, including fire doors and sprinklers, have also been integrated into the structure to prevent a repeat of the tragic event.

Although restoration efforts will continue for years, the global team of artisans, engineers, and architects working on the project have successfully prepared the cathedral for its highly anticipated December 7 reopening.

“It was a challenge many deemed impossible, yet one we will have met on,” Macron stated during his visit. “This once-in-a-century project has been conducted in extraordinary conditions. It required a collaboration of France’s best experts and specialists.”

The ambitious five-year timeline was initially met with skepticism, but workers rose to the occasion. Macron had vowed to expedite the restoration process after nearly $1 billion in donations poured in from philanthropists and organizations around the globe.

The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral is set to be a moment of triumph, symbolizing resilience and the enduring spirit of human ingenuity.

The famous church bells rang out for the first time since the 2019 fire back on November 9th:

🚨🇫🇷NOTRE DAME BELLS RING FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2019 FIRE

GOLDEN AGE!!🏆🏆🏆
Humanity wins!🎉🎉🎉
Cabal loses!👏👏👏

The bells of Paris’s Notre Dame tolled for the first time since the devastating 2019 fire, signaling the cathedral’s upcoming reopening on December 8. This… pic.twitter.com/yygvsSdRlh

— Noah Christopher (@DailyNoahNews) November 9, 2024

See inside:

Some good news. Five years since the Notre Dame burned down, France is now preparing to reopen the Gothic cathedral as it’s been rebuilt. It’ll be open to the public on December 7. And they didn’t mess it up.

“The reconstruction work restored the cathedral's spire, its rib… pic.twitter.com/QmpSvrvSNN

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 30, 2024

Incredible before and after:

L'incroyable résurrection de Notre-Dame de Paris. pic.twitter.com/o29GG2hQju

— François d’Estais (@fdestais) November 29, 2024

This video shows a lot more:

The splendor of Notre Dame after 5 years of renovations following the 2019 fire.

Set to reopen in a few days on December 8, 2024. pic.twitter.com/811VymjMtd

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) November 29, 2024

Here’s more from the NY Post:

The newly renovated interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has been unveiled for the first time since reconstruction began more than five years ago.

The iconic 12th-century landmark opened its sacred doors to French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, showcasing its brand new design that pays homage to its original construction destroyed in the devastating 2019 blaze.

In addition to the stunning stained-glass windows, the cathedral’s spire and carved stone gargoyles have been restored to their past glory.

During the televised two-hour walkthrough, Macron appeared impressed by the light pouring into the nave after the cathedral’s windows were renewed and its white stones cleaned.

“This is overwhelming,” he said while taking an extensive tour alongside several government officials.

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Macron was also invited up on the roof to look at the new wooden beams, which had to be replaced after the fire had gutted the old ones.

The large wood pieces came from all over the country, and were repurposed from oak trees.