Notre Dame reopening offers ‘shock of hope’, says Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron has stated that the restoration of Notre Dame in Paris, which suffered significant fire damage five years ago, will provide the world with a "shock of hope." He made this comment during a televised walk to celebrate the approaching reopening of the historic cathedral.

On Friday morning, the French president, accompanied by his wife Brigitte and the archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, toured the recently restored medieval cathedral with Philippe Villeneuve, the head architect responsible for France's national monuments.

In the brightly lit corridors, Macron admired the Clôture Nord du Chœur, a carved wall showing various moments from the life of Jesus Christ. He was impressed by the renowned rose windows, which had recently been cleaned of the grime that had built up in their corners over the years.

While exploring Notre Dame’s iconic spire, Macron noticed the distinctive marks in the wood that highlighted the skill involved in the restoration work. This wooden spire, referred to as a flèche, is supported by wooden frames alone. Reconstructing this structure required using carpentry techniques that are over 700 years old, originating in the 13th century.

Over the course of four months, a carpenter carefully crafted three thousand wooden dowels, ensuring they were made from oak that matched the wood of the structural beams. “Our heritage is incredibly varied and rich,” Villeneuve stated. “Notre Dame has given us the opportunity to replicate these traditional methods.”

During a talk with approximately 1,300 artisans, Macron remarked, "The impact of reopening will be just as significant as the impact of the fire, but this time it will bring a feeling of hope."

He expressed his gratitude to everyone who had helped with the restoration by offering their time and financial support. "The fire at Notre Dame was a national tragedy, and you provided the healing touch with your dedication, effort, and devotion," he remarked.

A special acknowledgment was made for the firefighters who bravely rushed into the blaze and "rescued this cathedral."

On April 15, 2019, people worldwide watched as fire engulfed the structure, consuming much of the wooden and metal roof as well as the spire. While the exact reason for the fire was never determined, investigators speculated that it was accidental, potentially caused by a discarded cigarette or an electrical short circuit.

Right after the fire, Macron vowed that the church would be rebuilt “more beautiful than ever” within five years. This promise was fulfilled with the help of millions in donations and the work of hundreds of skilled craftsmen who utilized traditional techniques. The restoration is anticipated to cost around €700 million (£582 million).

"We have arrived," the French president tweeted on Friday morning, sharing a video that featured the restored cathedral, accompanied by the music of Edith Piaf's Notre Dame de Paris.

The cathedral will open its doors to the public again on December 7th.

Prior to the fire, Notre Dame attracted around 12 million visitors annually. After it reopens, it's anticipated that even more people will come to see it. Access to the cathedral will still be free, but guests will be required to reserve a specific time slot via an online booking system that is set to launch in early December.