The forgotten 'secret city'
The unholy inferno spread rapidly. The blaze tore through the wooden lattice structure holding up the church's lead roof. Soon, the steeple and spire of the historic landmark were engulfed in flames.
On the evening of April 15, 2019, a fire broke out under the eaves of Notre-Dame Cathedral's roof.
Over 400 firefighters were able to tame most of the northern tower's flames by late evening, and worked through the night to extinguish the rest.
Three new bells, including the bell used during the Paris Olympic Games, were placed into the cathedral on November 7, 2024.
Similarly, Notre-Dame's collapsed vaulted ceilings were completely restored. Stonemasons also consolidated standing ceilings, and remediated damage to the extrados, the upper and outer curves of the arches.
After a challenging restoration process, Notre Dame will open its doors to visitors and worshippers once again over the weekend of December 7-8, returning to its former glory following the severe damage caused by the fire on April 19, 2019. On November 29, President Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by artisans, architects, business leaders, and donors, will honor the craftsmanship and dedication of all those involved in bringing the cathedral back to life.
His visit marks the start of a series of events leading up to the reopening of the 12th-century Gothic treasure. Macron will return on December 7 to deliver a speech and attend the consecration of the new altar during a solemn Mass the next day. The restoration was carried out by an estimated 2,000 skilled workers, including masons, carpenters, restorers, roofers, foundry workers, art experts, sculptors, and engineers, providing a significant boost to French arts and crafts.
Notre-Dame de Paris was set to reopen on December 8.
One of the first priorities was to rebuild the cathedral's wooden framework. Not for nothing was the medieval roof called "the forest," such was the amount of this natural material used in the original construction. The roof was rebuilt identically, using solid oak and the same techniques applied by carpenters 850 years previously.
With key structural elements like vaults and buttress walls having been repaired or replaced, construction workers began focusing on the area immediately in front of the cathedral, the square originally known as the Parvis Notre-Dame but today called Place Jean-Paul II.
As the new roof took shape, the cathedral's damaged buttress walls required strengthening in order to support the weight of the wooden framework. In some cases, these were replaced due to weakening by the fire.
In this candid image, construction workers take a break from the task at hand and appear grouped together against two of the cathedral's many fiendish-looking gargoyles.
Much of the restoration work on Notre-Dame took place away from central Paris. Here, a welder works on a gold frame of the reliquary of the Crown of Thorns in Saint Remy-les-Chevreuse. The Saint-Jacques workshops and the Coubertin foundry are creating a reliquary shrine that will be installed inside Notre-Dame.
Reconstruction of the roof structure was completed in January 2023, confounding some experts familiar with medieval restoration work who said it could take 15 to 20 years to rebuild the roof.
Highly-skilled artisans have handcrafted glass pebbles to go on the reliquary of the Crown of Thorns.
The undoubted highlight of the project was the unveiling of the new spire. Immortalized in history, film, and literature, the previous spire, fitted in 1859 and designed by French architect Viollet-le-Duc, replaced the cathedral's original 13th-century spire. Made to resemble the one burnt down, the replacement oak spire is 315 feet (96 m) tall and topped with a golden rooster and cross.
At the Barthelemy Art foundry at Crest, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France, bronzers work on pieces intended for Notre-Dame. Designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet, the cathedral's tabernacle is awaiting a final patina along with the rest of the liturgical furniture before returning to Paris in time for the reopening in December.
Meanwhile in Lourdes, votive candles are being specially produced for the occasion. In fact, Notre-Dame de Paris will be equipped with a new votive candle design with a blue wick. These are entirely biodegradable, and whose manufacture has been entrusted to the Ciergerie de Lourdes factory.
The dismantling of the scaffolding at the beginning of November 2024 revealed the new roof of the nave. The stonemason's art is apparent in the intricacy of the decorative elements, again mirroring that of the original design.
The Olympic bell, used during the Summer Games to mark the victories of athletes, was installed above the altar of Notre-Dame alongside the two smaller bells, named Chiara and Carlos.
Adorning the reliquary are dozens of metal thorns covered with fine gold, an exquisite feature that exemplifies the metalworker's art.
And the western facade of Notre-Dame de Paris remains as it was back in the Middle Ages. This engraving from 1669 shows the old baptistery on the left and the fountain in the parvis.
Over the centuries, Notre-Dame has witnessed monumental events in world history. For example, Henry VI of England's coronation as King of France when aged just 10. The coronation took place during the Hundred Years' War, Henry's accession to the throne being in accordance with the Treaty of Troyes of 1420.
On December 2, 1804, Napoleon I broke with tradition by having his grandiose coronation held in Notre-Dame. Up until then, French kings had been crowned in Reims Cathedral.
A mass celebrating the Allied victory at the end of the Second World War was held in the cathedral on May 9, 1945. French General Charles de Gaulle is seen here saluting the Republican Guard before the ceremony.
But meeting this deadline required a Herculean effort by all involved. It took two years just to secure and stabilize the structure so that restorers could work safely within the church.
Fortunately, many of the cathedral's collection of priceless Catholic relics and artworks emerged largely unscathed, and the famed rose windows remained intact. However, structural damage was significant.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who rushed to the site even as the cathedral still burned on that fateful evening, declared that Notre-Dame would be rebuilt "even more beautifully"—and that he wanted the work done within five years.
Thus began a hugely complex reconstruction project involving hundreds of craftspeople, skilled artisans including quarry workers, carpenters, mortar makers, and master stonecutters, led by three architects specializing in historic monuments: Philippe Villeneuve, Rémi Fromont, and Pascal Prunet.
France was in shock, as was the international community. The 850-year-old Gothic masterpiece had been undergoing restoration work when the blaze took hold. Now, parts of the iconic structure resembled a charred shell.
As the date of the cathedral's reopening nears, the anticipation among locals and visitors to Paris is palpable. Even though some restoration work is still to be completed, the venerable building is taking center stage in tourists' selfies.
The fire in 2019 left a hole in the heart of Paris. But the restoration of Notre-Dame has preserved a cultural icon and symbol of France that has endured for over 800 years.
Sources: (The Guardian) (The New York Times) (PEFC) (AFAR) (Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris)
See also: Famous buildings lost or damaged by fire
Five years ago, France and the rest of the world watched in horror as Notre-Dame de Paris burned. One of the most iconic cathedrals ever built was on fire. In just a matter of minutes, the roof was engulfed in flames, destroying the famous spire and breaking the hearts of Parisiennes witnessing the distressing scene. In the wake of the disaster, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to have the cathedral rebuilt in five years. Many were skeptical of the narrow deadline, but, against all odds, Notre Dame was set to reopen in December 2024 after a restoration project costing about €700 million (US$758 million).
On Friday, November 29, President Emmanuel Macron, along with the First Lady and Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, will showcase the fully restored Notre Dame Cathedral in a televised broadcast. This event begins a series of commemorations leading up to the cathedral's grand reopening on December 7, followed by its first Mass on December 8. Macron will address the 1,300 workers and artisans who made the restoration possible, sharing words of thanks and optimism.
So, what does the famous Paris landmark look like now? For a preview, click through this gallery and find out how they restored an 850-year-old Gothic masterpiece.
Notre Dame reopens after extensive restoration work
President Macron unveils Notre Dame’s transformation
LIFESTYLE Architecture
Five years ago, France and the rest of the world watched in horror as Notre-Dame de Paris burned. One of the most iconic cathedrals ever built was on fire. In just a matter of minutes, the roof was engulfed in flames, destroying the famous spire and breaking the hearts of Parisiennes witnessing the distressing scene. In the wake of the disaster, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to have the cathedral rebuilt in five years. Many were skeptical of the narrow deadline, but, against all odds, Notre Dame was set to reopen in December 2024 after a restoration project costing about €700 million (US$758 million).
On Friday, November 29, President Emmanuel Macron, along with the First Lady and Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, will showcase the fully restored Notre Dame Cathedral in a televised broadcast. This event begins a series of commemorations leading up to the cathedral's grand reopening on December 7, followed by its first Mass on December 8. Macron will address the 1,300 workers and artisans who made the restoration possible, sharing words of thanks and optimism.
So, what does the famous Paris landmark look like now? For a preview, click through this gallery and find out how they restored an 850-year-old Gothic masterpiece.