After the devastating fire at Notre Dame five years ago, French President Emmanuel Macron has described the imminent reopening of the cathedral as a “shock of hope” for the world. Macron, along with his wife Brigitte, recently toured the renovated medieval cathedral with the archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich.
During the visit, Macron was impressed by the restoration efforts, including the craftsmanship that went into rebuilding the wooden spire and the cleaning of the famous rose windows. The restoration project involved traditional carpentry methods dating back to the 13th century, with 3,000 wooden dowels painstakingly fashioned by a carpenter to match the original structural beams.
In a speech to craftsmen involved in the restoration, Macron expressed gratitude for their hard work and dedication, noting that their efforts were essential in healing the national wound caused by the fire. He also praised the firefighters who had bravely saved the cathedral during the blaze.
The precise cause of the fire was never established, but it was believed to be accidental. Macron had promised to restore the cathedral within five years, a promise that was fulfilled thanks to millions in donations and the work of hundreds of skilled artisans. The total cost of the restoration is estimated to be around €700m.
Notre Dame officially reopens to the public on 7 December, with visitor numbers expected to soar. While entry will remain free, visitors will need to book a dedicated time slot through an online ticketing system. The reopening of Notre Dame symbolizes a new chapter for the cathedral and a message of hope for the future.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
