One of the world’s most notable sites has been restored to its former glory, as France’s Notre Dame Cathedral will reopen following massive renovations.
After a devastating fire on April, 15, 2019 damaged the rook and spire of the Notre Dame Cathedral, a first look was unveiled from French President Emmanuel Macron during a live two-hour televised tour on Friday, November 29, 2024, according to NBC News.
In remarks ahead of his visit, Macron spoke of the long process to reconstruct the historic site.
“This project was a human adventure of epic proportions in terms of building and prowess, involving the patient and dedicated work of a chain of talents working with one another passing the torch to those of the centuries to come,” Macron said.
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Many were highly skeptical of Macron’s promise and commitment that the Notre Dame Cathedral would be restored, but he said he is proud to have succeeded. “It was a challenge many deemed impossible, yet one we will have met on,” he said.
“This once-in-a-century project has been conducted in extraordinary conditions. It required a collaboration of France’s best experts and specialists,” Macron added. Despite the new renovations, full restorations will likely take years to complete.
In the 24 hours following the devastating fire, close to $1 billion was pledged in donations and the public body responsible for the conservation and restoration of the cathedral, Rebuilding Notre Dame de Paris, estimated that repairs would cost a staggering $760 million, NBC News reported.
One of the people who helped on the restoration, Louise Bausiere, told the outlet “To make it in five years was hard. We had to do it, there was no choice.”
Bausiere also shared that thanks to photos and modern technology making things “easier,” the Notre-Dame Cathedral is an exact replica of what it was before, saying that the building team “took photos and looked at archives and made it exactly the same.”
“The techniques, the visuals, the aesthetics, everything is exactly the same,” she added.
The Notre Dame Cathedral will officially reopen to the public on Dec. 7.
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