Notre-Dame: Macron praises 'impossible' restoration efforts

Notre-Dame: A First Glimpse Inside the Renovated Cathedral

Emmanuel Macron of France has commended the efforts of the workers who accomplished the extraordinary feat of rebuilding Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, which was severely damaged by a fire in 2019.

On Friday, the world got its first glimpse of the magnificent new Notre-Dame as Macron led a televised tour to celebrate the cathedral's upcoming reopening.

After five and a half years following the destructive fire, the Gothic treasure of Paris has been restored and revitalized. It is set to provide an unforgettable visual experience for visitors.

In a address to the skilled workers involved in the renovation, Macron stated, "The fire at Notre-Dame was a deep national injury, and your determination, efforts, and dedication have been the healing force."

"I can't express enough gratitude, and the people of France feel the same way," the president stated in his address. He continued, "You have restored Notre-Dame."

Macron, joined by his wife Brigitte and Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, initiated a series of ceremonies that will lead to an official "entrance" into the cathedral on December 7, followed by the first Catholic Mass the next day.

Upon stepping into the renovated cathedral, Macron remarked that it has been "fixed, reimagined, and reconstructed."

"It's absolutely magnificent," he remarked.

He was later presented with a showcase of the building's €700 million (£582 million) restoration, featuring the enormous roof beams that took the place of the medieval structure lost in the fire.

Concluding his tour of Notre-Dame, Macron expressed to the workers that their efforts in restoring the landmark had been crucial.

Previously, the French president toured the recently renovated cathedral with the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.

Prior to Macron's visit, the newly updated interior of Notre-Dame was tightly under wraps, with only a handful of images shared over the years to showcase the advancement of the restoration efforts.

On Friday, I got a sneak peek, and what I witnessed left me thoroughly convinced that it’s an incredible experience. The cathedral has a vibrant, revitalized atmosphere.

It's not just about fixing or reconstructing the roof. It's also involved clearing out grime and soot from the inside, which hasn't been done since the last renovation in the 1850s.

On the evening of April 15, 2019, people everywhere were shocked as they saw live images of bright orange flames engulfing the roof of the cathedral. The situation escalated, and at the height of the fire, the 19th-century spire fell dramatically to the ground.

The cathedral, which had already raised some worries about its structure before the fire, was in the middle of an exterior renovation project. There are several theories regarding how the fire started, including the possibility of a cigarette discarded by a worker or an electrical issue.

Approximately 600 firefighters worked for 15 hours to control the blaze.

The fire did not result in any fatalities or injuries.

At one time, concerns arose that the eight bells in the north tower might collapse, which could potentially cause the tower to tumble and possibly lead to significant damage to the cathedral's walls.

Ultimately, the framework was preserved.

The damage included the spire, the wooden roof supports (often referred to as the "forest"), and the stone archways above the middle of the transept and a portion of the nave.

There was significant destruction caused by collapsing wood and bricks, as well as water from firefighting hoses.

Fortunately, the items that were preserved extended into a much larger inventory. This included all the stained glass windows, the majority of the statues and artwork, as well as the revered religious artifact known as the Crown of Thorns. Although the organ, which is the second largest in France, suffered significant damage from dust and smoke, it can be restored.

The clergy of the cathedral also honored specific individuals known as "miraculous survivors."

Among them is the 14th Century statue located in the choir, referred to as the Virgin of the Pillar, which narrowly escaped being destroyed by collapsing stones.

Just four days before the fire, sixteen large copper statues representing the Apostles and Evangelists, which were surrounding the spire, were taken down for restoration work.

The day after assessing the damage, Macron made a bold commitment that many found impulsive: he vowed to have Notre-Dame open to the public again within five years.

A law established a public organization to oversee the project, and a fundraising campaign quickly garnered support. In total, €846 million was collected, with significant contributions from major sponsors as well as from hundreds of thousands of individual donors.

The task was assigned to Jean-Louis Georgelin, a straightforward military general who, like Macron, was frustrated with bureaucratic committees and the traditional heritage institutions.

Georgelin is widely recognized for the clear success of the project; however, he tragically passed away in an accident in the Pyrenees in August 2023 and was succeeded by Philippe Jost.

Around 2,000 skilled workers, including masons, carpenters, restorers, roofers, metalworkers, art specialists, sculptors, and engineers, contributed to the project, significantly benefiting the French arts and crafts community.

Numerous crafts, like stone carving, have experienced a significant rise in apprenticeship opportunities due to increased awareness.

"The Notre Dame project has served like a World Fair, highlighting our craftsmanship to the world," stated Pascal Payen-Appenzeller, who is involved in promoting traditional building techniques. "It's a fantastic international showcase."

The initial goal of the project was to secure the site, followed by the removal of the large, tangled metal scaffolding that had encased the spire. This scaffolding had melted during the fire and had become fused with the surrounding stone.

Renovation work has been underway since 2019 to repair and restore the 850-year-old Gothic structure.

At the outset, a choice had to be made regarding the renovation approach: Should the aim be to accurately restore the medieval structure along with the 19th-century neo-Gothic modifications made by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, or should this be a chance to give the building a contemporary character?

A request for fresh designs brought about some unexpected concepts, such as a glass ceiling, an environmentally friendly "eco-roof," a large flame replacing the traditional spire, and a spire adorned with a vertical laser beam reaching into the sky.

Despite receiving pushback from both specialists and the community, the project went forward, remaining largely faithful to the initial design. However, some adjustments were made to incorporate modern materials and safety standards. For instance, the timber supports in the roof are now equipped with sprinkler systems and partition walls for added protection.

The last major disagreement revolves around Macron's wish to have contemporary stained-glass windows created for six side chapels. Artists have participated in a competition to submit their designs, but there is strong resistance from numerous individuals in the French art community.

Macron has sought to turn the restoration of Notre-Dame into both a central topic and a powerful symbol.

He has been deeply engaged with the project and has made several visits to the cathedral.

At a time when his political standing is at its lowest point, especially after a tough parliamentary election in July, the reopening comes as a much-needed lift for his spirits.

Some suggested that he was trying to grab attention by planning Friday's event, which was meant to celebrate the conclusion of the project, a week before the official re-opening. This means that the first long-awaited pictures of the interior will naturally end up highlighting him as well.

In response, officials from the Elysée highlight that the cathedral, like all religious structures in France as stipulated by a 1905 law, is owned by the state, with the Catholic Church serving as its designated user. They emphasize that without Macron's swift measures, the restoration work would not have been finished in such a short time.

An insider from the Elysée stated, "What visitors will witness in the new Notre Dame is the magnificent display of collective determination that is characteristically French."