Notre-Dame de Paris reopens its doors five years after the fire

A text by Félicia Latour

After five years of waiting, the cathedral Notre-Dame of Paris will welcome visitors again. We present to you the highlights of this historic monument.

A fire that moved the whole world

On April 15, 2019, news went around the world: Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the most famous cathedrals in the world, was in flames. The images of the roof on fire and the firefighters trying to save the building left their mark.

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris engulfed in flames

Photo : Reuters / Benoit Tessier

Fortunately, firefighters managed to save the main structure of Notre-Dame, as well as many valuable works of art. However, the roof and the spire, erected in the 19th century, were destroyed. The causes of the fire have still not been determined, even after an investigation.

A huge (re)construction site

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Photo : Getty Images / LUDOVIC MARIN

The French president, Emmanuel Macronhad promised to rebuild the cathedral in five years. Some 340 000 people from all over the world donated money to help with reconstruction: 846 million euros were collected, of which 700 million financed the restoration. (That's a little more than one billion Canadian dollars!)

Diana Castillo working on a painting of Notre-Dame de Paris.

Photo: Courtesy Diana Castillo

Craftsmen, carpenters, stonemasons and architects worked tirelessly to restore the cathedral to its former glory. The materials, such as century-old oaks and lead, are identical to those used in Middle Ages!

A man carves into stone during the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris.

A stonemason for around forty years, Philippe Giraud worked on stones from the south tower of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral.

Photo: - / Raphaël Bouvier-Auclair

A monument to rediscover

From December 2024, Notre-Dame will reopen its doors to the public. Saturday December 7bishops and politicians, musicians and artisans, firefighters and princes all gathered to celebrate the reopening of this iconic landmark in a spectacular opening ceremony. Visitors will now be able to admire the restored stained glass windows, cleaned statues and the reconstructed spire, which once again dominates Paris.

Did you know that…?

In the 19th century, the cathedral was in poor condition. The writer Victor Hugo wrote the famous novel Notre-Dame of Pariswhich revived public interest in its preservation.
Between 14 et 15 millions visitors are expected each year at Notre-Dame, one of the most visited monuments in Europe.

With information from - Info

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