“We have the feeling of rediscovering it”: the most beautiful photos of the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral, five years after the fire

Emmanuel Macron visited the completely renovated Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral on Friday, a prelude to the ceremonies at the beginning of December which will see the emblematic building of Christianity reborn for worship, five and a half years after the fire of April 15, 2019.

“How beautiful!”exclaimed the head of state on the square, who had from the moment of the fire launched the challenge of rebuilding Notre-Dame in five years. He then entered the nave, accompanied among others by his wife Brigitte, the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati and the president of the Ile-de-France region Valérie Pécresse. “We have the feeling of rediscovering it”said the president.

He then lingered under the roof of Notre-Dame, equipped with a new wooden frame which replaced the one that went up in smoke. During this site visit, the seventh since the tragedy which saw the flames ravage the roof and the spire of one of the most famous religious buildings in the world, Emmanuel Macron will pay tribute to the work of some 2,000 companions who worked on its resurrection. The spectacular fire on the Île de la Cité had moved the whole world and donations poured in from everywhere, including from non-Christian countries, to finance the work.

Millions of euros in sponsorship collected

In total, according to the Elysée, 843 million euros were collected. Around 700 million was spent on the first two phases of consolidation and restoration; the remaining 140 million will be used to restore in particular the facades and roofs of the sacristy from the beginning of 2025.

“I am very happy because we came close to a huge disaster”Sébastien Truchot, 50, who lives not far from the cathedral, told Reuters. “Whether you are a believer or not, Notre-Dame is universal and it is a pleasure to find and rediscover her”. “I think a lot of Parisians passed by it without going in and I think it will be a rediscovery for them. I too can’t wait to go and see inside”.

The thousands of workers expected

More than 1,200 people out of the 2,000 workers are expected inside the cathedral during its official reopening scheduled for the weekend of December 7 and 8. Visiting Notre-Dame will remain free according to the wishes of the Catholic authorities who rejected the proposal recently made by Rachida Dati to make it chargeable for tourists in order to renovate the country's approximately 100,000 religious buildings.

Patrons, representatives of authorities and foreign personalities, but not Pope Francis announced on December 15 in Ajaccio in Corsica, are also expected on December 7 and 8 for ceremonies organized in two stages, separation of Church and State requires . According to his entourage, Emmanuel Macron will pronounce on Saturday December 7 a “short speech” on the square in front of the cathedral, the opportunity to discuss the “French pride” of a year which saw the country celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Allied Landings and organize the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

Duty of memory of General Jean-Louis Georgelin

The head of state should not fail to salute the memory of General Jean-Louis Georgelin, former chief of staff of the armed forces who became president of the public establishment of Notre-Dame de Paris until his accidental death. summer 2023. Philippe Jost is today at the head of this organization responsible for restoring its splendor to the building erected from the year 1163 and celebrated by many poets, filmmakers and writers, including Victor Hugo.

Emmanuel Macron will then give way to the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, who will knock with his crozier on the door of the cathedral, the opening of which will be followed by a ceremony accompanied by the large, completely renovated 8,000-piece organ. Sunday December 8, Emmanuel Macron and his wife will attend the consecration mass of the new altar of Notre-Dame.