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Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron personally inspected the restoration work and expressed his awe at the new appearance of Notre Dame Cathedral. He was accompanied by the Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich, along with the French Minister of Culture, the mayor of Paris, and other officials.
Macron's visit took place a week before the cathedral reopened to visitors, scheduled for December 7th. Standing before the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, the French President could not hide his admiration for the work of the artisans.
France mobilized around 250 companies and hundreds of experts to carry out the restoration process at a total cost of over $750 million.
Standing amidst a group of carpenters, stonemasons, and experts in restoring ancient paintings, Macron affirmed: "We have never seen a construction site like this. You have all contributed to this project of the century. The Notre Dame fire was a national wound, and you have healed this monument with determination, hard work, and dedication."
President Macron inspects Notre Dame Cathedral before its official opening.
The fire that occurred on April 15, 2019, severely damaged the cathedral, a historical building nearly 900 years old, since its completion in 1345. Five years after the devastating blaze, the cathedral has finally been restored with the participation of thousands of experts and artisans, aiming to give it a new look while preserving the core architectural values of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. French President Macron set a goal of restoring the cathedral within five years and making it "even more beautiful than before," according to AFP.
The cathedral has received $895 million in donations from 150 countries for its restoration.
The inauguration ceremony for the newly restored church will take place on December 7th, with the expected attendance of many heads of state and celebrities, followed by a series of days welcoming the public to visit and honoring those who participated in the church's restoration work.
The interior of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after restoration.
According to President Macron's office, France has received funding from various sources around the world to renovate this historic landmark, estimated at $882 million, with remaining funds available for further investment if needed. The Catholic Church expects Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to attract approximately 15 million visitors annually.
According to the Notre Dame Cathedral management, the site welcomed 12 million visitors in 2017. It is expected that this number will even rise to 14-15 million visitors after reopening. French ministers have suggested the idea of charging an entrance fee for tourists, but the Paris diocese says that free entry is an important principle to maintain.
