Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday inaugurated the restored towers of Notre-Dame cathedral, allowing the public to climb the 424 stairs and enjoy unrivalled views of the city – a major milestone in the cathedral’s extensive reconstruction following the devastating April 2019 fire.
The reopening comes a day before the towers officially welcome visitors for the weekend, marking one of the final stages in a restoration project spearheaded by Macron. The cathedral itself reopened in December 2024 in a glittering ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump.
Macron, politically embattled at home, hailed the restoration as a fulfillment of a promise to complete the cathedral’s revival within five years. He was the first to tour the towers, which offer close-up views of the iconic gargoyles and the two main bells.
“The towers of Notre-Dame reopen to the public,” Macron said on X. “The cathedral is regaining all its splendour and once again offers its spectacular views of Paris.”
Visitors can expect a 45-minute tour starting at the south tower, ascending to the belfry, crossing terraces, and descending via the north tower. Philippe Jost, Macron’s reconstruction pointman, noted the route has been improved with new viewpoints and visitor spaces.
Tickets, costing 16 euros, must be purchased online, with only 19 visitors allowed at a time. The first two days of tickets sold out in 24 minutes.
The €700 million ($820 million) reconstruction overcame challenges including lead pollution, Covid-19 disruptions, and the accidental death of a supervising army general in 2023. While the tower reopening marks a key milestone, work continues on the cathedral’s eastern apse and other areas unrelated to the fire.
“Our ambition now is to complete a full restoration of the cathedral, addressing everything that will enable it to look its best,” Jost said, highlighting that Notre-Dame’s revival is still ongoing.
You must be logged in to post a comment.