Managed by the Center des monuments nationaux, the visits, for a fee, will allow you to get closer to the renovated framework of the belfry and the bells.
Since December 8, after five years of work, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral has once again been open free of charge to the public and the faithful, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, part of the building remains inaccessible: the north and south towers, which frame the main facade to the west. These are still the subject of work and will not be accessible before summer 2025.
A renovated building
Unlike the rest of the cathedral, whose management is entrusted to the Church, tourism responsibility for the towers has fallen for decades to the Center of National Monuments (CMN). Before the 2019 fire, these iconic structures welcomed more than 400,000 visitors each year, for an entrance fee of 11 euros. This visit notably offered the opportunity to admire an exceptional view of the roofs of Notre-Dame and Paris.
“We look forward to reopening these spaces to the public. However, several works remain to be finalized, notably the covering of the spire. In the belfry, everything is not yet finished either. At the same time, we are carrying out, in collaboration with the public establishment, developments aimed at modifying and improving the visit route”explains Cécile Rives, tower administrator for the CMN at Parisian. Among the new features planned, visitors will be able to discover the renovated framework of the belfry and take a new staircase allowing them to approach the monumental bells, named Marie and Emmanuel. They will also have the opportunity to cross the gallery connecting the north and south towers. Thanks to specially designed openings, they will benefit from a unique view of the completely redone framework of the cathedral, nicknamed the ” forest “ from the great heights. “Of course, the panoramic view, at a height of 69 meters, of the spire and the capital, will remain a must”adds Cécile Rives to Parisian.
The opening of the towers is scheduled for summer 2025. “This is the objective we have set for ourselves. The entry fee will probably be slightly reassessed, but the exact amount remains to be defined »specifies the administrator. However, an increase in the number of visitors is not possible. “Unfortunately, due to the constraints linked to the configuration of the premises, we must respect a maximum capacity and will not be able to accommodate more people”she concludes.
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