The renaissance of Notre-Dame Cathedral: Behind the scenes of a monumental restoration
For nearly five years, our reporters have followed "the project of the century" – the reconstruction of Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was devastated by fire in April 2019. In this final episode, we take you across France to discover the craftsmanship that has helped bring the Gothic masterpiece back to life. The world's most famous cathedral is set to reopen to the public on December 8. FRANCE 24's Mélina Huet reports.
Watch the previous episdodeFour years after fire, Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral set to rise again
On the night of April 15-16, 2019, while renovation work was underway, Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral was ravaged by flames, destroying much of its roof and framework. The images of the fire spread around the world, triggering shock and solidarity from thousands of donors, who raised €840 million to help rebuild it. French President Emmanuel Macron promised the monument would reopen for worship and visitors by December 2024 – an ambitious goal that was met with much doubt at the time.
For nearly five years, our reporters have followed "the project of the century": the reconstruction of the world's most famous cathedral, a 12th-century Gothic masterpiece and one of Europe's most visited monuments.
In this final episode, we explore the artisan trades that have made the restoration of Notre-Dame possible. We take you to see the restoration of the eight bells of the north belfry at the Villedieu-les-Poêles foundry in Normandy, the resurrection of the nave's 13 chandeliers in the southern village of Gargas and, of course, the heart of the site itself, which also marks the "kilometre zero" where all French roads begin.
We also witness the installation of the final stones, healing the gaping wound left by the fire, and the tuning of the grand organ at dusk, when the hammers fall silent. Join us for this unique moment, just before the cathedral reopens to visitors and worshippers on December 7 and 8.
