French President Emmanuel Macron views the newly restored interiors of Notre Dame Cathedral, including its impressive nave, during a visit on Friday, November 29, 2024, in Paris. AP Photo
After more than five years of dedicated reconstruction, the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is finally revealing its transformed interior. Damaged by a devastating fire in April 2019, the historic structure now showcases its renewed grandeur, highlighted during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday. The cathedral’s restored ceilings, radiant stained glass, and creamy limestone walls captivated those who witnessed its revival ahead of its official reopening to the public on December 8.
Once a site of charred debris and gaping holes, Notre Dame’s vaulted ceilings now gleam with newly pieced stonework, carefully crafted to erase the scars of the blaze. The centerpiece of the reconstruction, delicate golden angels, appears to soar once again above the rebuilt transept. Stonemason Adrien Willeme marveled at the transformation, remarking, “It feels like it was built yesterday... it looks really extraordinary.”
The altar, crafted by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet, stands at the center of Notre Dame Cathedral as French President Emmanuel Macron explores the restored interiors on Friday, November 29, 2024, in Paris. AP Photo
The cathedral's restoration involved cleaning 42,000 square meters of limestone—an area equivalent to six soccer fields. Toxic lead dust from the fire was removed with powerful vacuums, followed by layers of latex applied to surfaces, which, when peeled away, lifted years of grime from the stone's pores and crevices. Some painted walls underwent a special gel cleaning process to reveal their vibrant original colors.
Visitors walk through Notre Dame Cathedral as French President Emmanuel Macron views the restored interiors of the monument on Friday, November 29, 2024, in Paris. AP Photo
Carpenters used traditional medieval techniques to rebuild the collapsed roof and spire. Approximately 2,000 oak trees were felled to reconstruct the intricate framework, famously nicknamed "the forest." Each beam bears the marks of hand axes, a nod to the craftsmanship of centuries past.
French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral on Friday, November 29, 2024, where the altar, created by French artist Guillaume Bardet, is prominently displayed at the center of the cathedral. AP Photo
The restoration extends beyond aesthetics. Notre Dame’s renewed splendor reflects the resilience and dedication of the hundreds of artisans and workers who contributed to this monumental effort. Macron, visibly moved during his tour, described the project as the "building site of the century" and expressed his gratitude to the workers for their meticulous labors.
Addressing the gathered workforce, Macron noted the emotional impact of the cathedral’s return. “The inferno of Notre Dame was a wound for the nation. And you were its remedy,” he said. He added that the reopening would bring a “shock of hope” akin to the shock of the fire.
French President Emmanuel Macron views the western Rose window and the organ inside the restored Notre-Dame Cathedral during his visit on Friday, November 29, 2024, in Paris. AP Photo
Outside, scaffolding and cranes remain visible, a reminder of the construction still in progress. However, the unveiling of the interior signals a significant milestone in restoring one of the world’s most treasured landmarks.
As part of the reopening events, Macron is set to deliver another address on December 7 and attend the consecration of the new altar during a solemn Mass on December 8.
