Paris, France – President Macron visited Notre-Dame Cathedral to give a speech, praising the artisans and donors involved in restoring the Parisian building. The rebuilt cathedral stands tall again five years on, with its impressive height, colourful stained glass, and restored sculptures. The cleaned-up stone is much whiter than before, lifting the place.
Restoration Efforts
Rephrased Context
The restoration team took five years to restore Notre-Dame Cathedral due to its eight thousand pipes, which were taken out of the cathedral and cleaned in three different workshops in southern France.
Missing colors were filled in, and murals and paintings damaged by fire and grime over centuries were restored.
All sculptures, paintings, and stained glass were restored at the same time, bringing back the ‘lustre’ to the cathedral.
Historical Significance
During the French Revolution, Notre-Dame was dismantled but later rebuilt in the 1860s.
The spire of Notre-Dame is a symbol of the cathedral and showcases the skill of those who worked on it, as well as the generosity of the donors.
President Macron praised the project managers, engineers, designers, and the public body for their contributions to the renovation.
Future Plans
The cathedral will eventually be fitted with new furniture, including sleek pews approved by the Paris archdiocese.
Large pieces of wood used for the roof came from all over France and from donated oak trees. Each piece was made from one tree.
The cathedral expects to welcome some 15 million visitors annually after reopening its doors next week to tourists as well as Catholic worshippers.
Restoration Process
The restoration team knew it would take five years to restore Notre-Dame Cathedral due to its eight thousand pipes. The pipes were taken out of the cathedral and cleaned in three different workshops in southern France, where some parts like the hammer that hits the pipes were also replaced after 50 years.
Macron was informed about the efforts made to clean murals and paintings damaged by fire and grime over centuries, and missing colors were filled in. The restoration team managed to bring back the ‘lustre’ to the cathedral by restoring all sculptures, paintings, and stained glass at the same time.
Advanced Cleaning and Re-fixing
Macron toured one of the oldest parts of the cathedral, a sculpted wall depicting scenes from Jesus Christ’s life, which required advanced cleaning and re-fixing due to its degraded state. The halos on the wall had been severely worn away before the fire in 2019, and workers ensured they re-stabilised the piece to prevent further wear.
Rebuilding of the Famous Gothic Spire
The famous Gothic spire, an iconic part of the cathedral, collapsed during the 2019 fire, a major loss that broke many hearts in France. The rebuilt spire is a testament to the skill and generosity of those involved in the renovation project.
Future Plans for the Cathedral
The cathedral will eventually be fitted with new furniture, including sleek pews approved by the Paris archdiocese. Large pieces of wood used for the roof came from all over France and from donated oak trees. Each piece was made from one tree.
Notre-Dame offered its new self to the world on Friday, and Macron described the restored interior as ‘sublime’. The cathedral will reopen its doors next week to tourists as well as Catholic worshippers and expects to welcome some 15 million visitors annually.
Notre Dame Cathedral Rebuild
The rebuilt cathedral stands tall again five years on, with its impressive height, colorful stained glass, and restored sculptures.
President Macron praised the artisans and donors involved in restoring the Parisian building, saying it’s a “metamorphosis”.
The cleaned-up stone is much whiter than before, lifting the place, and the colors in the side-chapels are another highlight.
A Spectacular Sight with Impressive Height, Colourful Stained Glass, and Restored Sculptures
Notre-Dame Cathedral stands tall again five years on. The rebuilt cathedral has been transformed into a spectacular sight with its impressive height, colourful stained glass, and restored sculptures.
President Emmanuel Macron toured the cathedral, thanking those involved in restoring the Parisian building. He praised the artisans and donors, saying it’s a metamorphosis. The cleaned-up stone is much whiter than before, lifting the place.
President Emmanuel Macron visited Notre-Dame Cathedral to give a speech and express his gratitude for the solidarity shown worldwide. He praised the Paris firefighters for their courage in running into the flames, saying they “saved this cathedral”. Macron thanked the workers involved in rebuilding and restoring the cathedral, acknowledging their sacrifice and hard work.
Significance of the Cathedral
Macron highlighted the significance of the cathedral, calling it the “soul of our country” and “part of France’s heritage and history”. He emphasized that the reopening will be a “shock of hope” for the people of France and Catholics worldwide.
