To get up close and personal with the gargoyles of Notre-Dame de Paris, enjoy an exceptional view of the spire and the Seine, and get up close to the bumblebees and the brand new “forest”, you will have to wait a few more months. If since December 8, after five years of work, the cathedral has reopened free of charge to the faithful and the public (from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.), part of the building, accessible before the fire, remains closed: its towers, north and south, which frame the main (west) facade. Work is still underway there, and they will not be able to welcome visitors before summer 2025.
Unlike the rest of the building, entrusted to the Church, visiting the towers has been managed for decades by the Center of National Monuments (CMN), which retains tourist responsibility. Before the fire of 2019, the two buildings welcomed more than 400,000 people each year, having to pay 11 euros to afford this supplement, the opportunity in particular to enjoy an exceptional view, both on the roofs and on Paris .
“We can’t wait to be able to release them to the public.” But, for the moment, there is still work to be completed, notably the covering of the spire. In the belfry, everything is not finished either. We are also carrying out, in collaboration with the public establishment, development work to change and improve the tour route,” announces Cécile Rives, tour administrator for the CMN.
A new staircase to be closer to the bells
Although the ascent will always be arduous, 422 steps in a narrow spiral staircase, it will offer several new features, including in terms of comfort. “There will be more intermediate levels. We are also setting up, which did not previously exist, an introductory room for the visit, with models in particular, to better understand the history of Notre-Dame and the stages of its construction. We will also be able to hear the recordings of the drones which only ring on special occasions,” explains the administrator.
Other new features: the discovery of the framework of the belfry, and a new staircase which will allow you to get as close as possible to the enormous bells named Marie and Emmanuel. They will also be able to walk through the gallery between the south and north towers and, thanks to new windows, have a glimpse of the redone framework of Notre-Dame, the “forest” of the large attic. “Of course, there will always also be the extraordinary view, at a height of 69 m, of the spire and the capital,” adds Cécile Rives.
Opening of the complex planned for the summer. “That’s the goal. The price should be revised slightly upwards, but the price has not yet been set,” specifies the manager. With the hope of having more visitors? “Unfortunately, no. Given the configuration of the premises, we have a maximum capacity to respect, and we will not be able to accommodate more people. »
