France Reveals Restored Notre Dame Cathedral Ahead of Reopening

France unveiled the meticulously restored interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral on Friday, showcasing the impressive results of a restoration project that followed the devastating fire of April 2019. The grand reopening is scheduled for the weekend of December 7-8, marking the end of a painstaking process to heal the iconic 850-year-old structure.

President Emmanuel Macron visited the cathedral and hailed the restoration as an “impossible” feat, referring to the fire as a “national wound” that has now been healed by the dedication of the workers. “You have achieved what was thought impossible,” Macron told the restoration team during his live-televised tour of the cathedral. He added that the reopening would be a “shock of hope” for the nation.

The restoration effort, which cost nearly 700 million euros ($750 million), included a team of architects and craftsmen who worked to preserve the cathedral’s original character while incorporating new, modern touches. The cathedral now boasts a luminous interior, with cleaned walls, restored stained-glass windows, and a resurrected 19th-century gothic spire, which had collapsed during the fire. A new organ has been reinstalled and is ready for use. Behind the scenes, a discreet fire protection system has been installed to prevent future disasters.

Macron’s ambitious goal was to rebuild the cathedral within five years, a target that was met despite the many challenges of the project. The restoration was funded by generous donations from around the world, with over 846 million euros raised from 150 countries.

The cathedral, which attracted 12 million visitors in 2017, is expected to see even more visitors after its reopening. While there have been discussions about charging an entrance fee, the Paris diocese has emphasized that free admission remains a key principle.

The reopening ceremony will take place on December 7, with Macron speaking in the forecourt due to France’s strict secular laws. The following day, the first mass will be held in the restored cathedral, including the consecration of the new altar. Despite the French government’s invitation, Pope Francis will not attend the reopening, as he is scheduled for a visit to Corsica.

The investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing, with initial reports pointing to an accidental cause, such as a short circuit, a welder’s torch, or a cigarette.