Notre Dame towers reopen to tourists for the first time since the 2019 fire

This was reported by Suspilne.

Visits to the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral resumed on Saturday, September 20. Before this event, President Emmanuel Macron visited the cathedral, expressing his gratitude on Twitter: “A huge thank you to the more than 2,000 craftsmen and artisans who came from all over France. Thanks to their talent, the cathedral has regained its former glory and once again offers visitors breathtaking views of Paris.”

The towers were reopened on Heritage Day in France. Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame de Paris) is renowned as one of the most famous Gothic buildings in the world. Its construction began in 1163, initiated by Bishop Maurice de Sully, and continued for more than two centuries, finishing in 1345.

In 2019, a fire broke out in the cathedral, causing significant damage: the wooden roof, spire, and parts of the vault were destroyed. Over €846 million was raised for restoration efforts, making the work a symbol of unity between France and the international community.

During the restoration, more than 2,000 specialists, including stonemasons and engineers, worked to return the cathedral to its authentic appearance. A modern fire-resistant roof with a sprinkler system was installed to protect the structure from future fires.

The official reopening of the cathedral after reconstruction took place on December 7, 2024, with the first mass celebrated on December 8..