More than 2,000 days after the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Emmanuel Macron visited the construction site this Friday, November 29, for the last time before its reopening. A stroll which ended with a thank you speech dedicated to those involved in the catering industry.
“A pride for the nation”. Eight days before the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, Emmanuel Macron made a final site visit this Friday, November 29. A tour segmented into ten stages, broadcast live on television.
“From the nave to the frame, via the choir and its ambulatory, it is a final visit in ten stages, symbolizing the rebirth of Notre-Dame in which the President of the Republic will participate,” indicated a press release from the Élysée.
“Repaired, reinvented and rebuilt”
Shortly before 10:30 a.m., the President of the Republic and his wife Brigitte Macron were welcomed on the square in front of the building by Anne Hidalgo, mayor of Paris, Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France region, Philippe Jost, president of the public establishment Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, and Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture.
Once he entered the building, the President of the Republic did not hide his amazement at the work accomplished. “It is repaired, reinvented and rebuilt at the same time,” he said.
Joined by the Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich, the tenant of the Élysée was able to observe the completely restored rose window of Notre-Dame and have a first overview of the restorations carried out.
The head of state then headed towards the transept to discover the stone vaults restored using a technique dating from the 13th century.
Once “the forest of stones” had been observed, Emmanuel Macron was able to admire the new bronze altar freshly installed in the cathedral. “What I find remarkable is that the altar imposes itself, but does not crush it,” commented Emmanuel Macron.
A visit to altitude
The president's stroll then gained height with an inspection of the new wooden frame which supports the building. During the fire, the old medieval structure completely went up in smoke.
In the frames, Emmanuel Macron expressed his gratitude to Julien Le Bras, CEO of the Le Bras Frères group who took care of this part of the restorations.
“It is I who am infinitely grateful to you. I know that you put in the heart, the time and the energy, I measured it during each visit,” launched the president.
The grand organ, completely restored
After this passage at altitude, Emmanuel Macron came back down to continue his visit by heading towards the choir of Notre-Dame. The Head of State was able to observe the Saint-Marcel chapel which regained its colors after the restoration.
Once the choir of the building was reached, visitors were treated to a detailed explanation of the methods used to renovate the “Vow of Louis XIII” and its Pietà.
To end his visit, Emmanuel Macron was taken in front of the great organ of Notre-Dame. To restore the instrument's former glory, the restorers cleaned all of the structure's 8,000 pipes.
We will now have to wait until the reopening on December 7 to hear it resonate. The rose window overlooking the instrument has also been completely restored.
A speech marked by emotion from Emmanuel Macron
Once this long walk was over, Emmanuel Macron thanked the 2,000 people who contributed to the work. 1,300 of them entered the cathedral to listen to the speech of the Head of State seated in the middle of this crowd.
“It is an immense emotion to find you in our cathedral,” he declared to begin his speech. “You have made this project a metaphor for the life of the nation: that every woman, every man is necessary,” he added, predicting a “shock of hope” with the reopening.
This speech, where Emmanuel Macron thanked all the actors who participated in the work, was marked by the emotion of the Head of State when discussing Jean-Louis Georgelin.
The president dedicated these restorations to the former army chief of staff who oversaw the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral before dying in a mountain accident.
“He was the face and voice of the site. I believe he would have been proud and happy, you lived up to the memory of the general,” he declared, very moved.
Tribute was also paid to Azzedine Hedna, a 64-year-old scaffolder and one of the figures of reconstruction, who died three weeks ago following a serious health accident.
A historic construction site
During his speech, Emmanuel Macron also did not fail to emphasize the historical side of the site.
“We have never seen such a project. You all participated in the project of the century,” he declared.
“A diploma will be given to each companion, each person, each hand who participated in this project,” added the head of state.
After speaking in the cathedral, the Head of State was applauded by those involved in the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris present on site. Next step now for the Parisian building: the grand inauguration on December 7, again, in the presence of Emmanuel Macron.
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