The restored Notre-Dame Cathedral is reopening on Saturday, five years after the Reuters fire
By Ingrid Melander, Ardee and Napolitano
PARIS (Reuters) – Paris’ centuries-old landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened on Saturday, five-and-a-half years after a devastating fire destroyed the spire and roof and brought the entire Gothic masterpiece within minutes of collapse.
The 860-year-old medieval building has been meticulously restored, with a new spire and rib cage, its flying buttresses and stone carvings returned to their former glory and the white and gold stone decorations shine brighter than ever.
President Emmanuel Macron, facing a major political crisis at home, will welcome US President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William and dozens of heads of state and government including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a lavish opening ceremony that will begin at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT).
Many Parisians rushed to the scene and TV viewers around the world watched in horror on the night of April 15, 2019, as the spire and roof collapsed in a fire that threatened the main steel towers and the rest of the building, which avoided destruction.
“The world shook that day,” Macron said before Saturday’s event. “The shock of the reopening will be – I believe and I want to believe – as strong as that of the fire, but it will be a shock of hope.”
A strong wind forecast means the celebrations will be held inside the cathedral, organizers said on Friday. At first, Macron was expected to give a speech outside.
“I am afraid that I will fall to the ground when I enter because it will be very painful,” said a member of the choir, Cecilia De Vargas, who must participate in the opening ceremony.
“Despite the bad thing that happened, there is a good side, to see how all the people, all the people of France want to rebuild the cathedral with such speed.”
Pascal Tordeux, a childcare worker who lives across the river from Notre-Dame said: “I saw the construction every day from my window, the spire being taken down, being put back. I saw it burn, I saw it go up again. .I think one day it will be finished.
Showing paintings on his arm representing Notre-Dame, the Virgin Mary and a stained glass window, he added: “What does Notre-Dame mean to me? This,”
THOUSANDS HAVE WORKED IN RECOVERY
Thousands of artisans – from wood carvers and stone masons to stained glass window artists – have worked around the clock for the past five years, using ancient methods to restore, repair or replace everything that was destroyed or damaged.
“Notre-Dame is more than a Parisian or French monument. It is also a universal monument,” said historian Damien Berne.
“It’s a landmark, a symbol, an affirming reference point in a unified world where everything is forever,” said Berne, a member of the restoration science council.
The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid in 1163, and construction continued for most of the next century, with major restorations and additions made in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Victor Hugo helped make the cathedral a symbol of Paris and France when he used it as the setting for his 1831 novel, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”. Quasimodo, the main character, has been featured in Hollywood, animated films Disney (NYSE:) adaptation and music.
So much money has been poured into the global renovation — more than 840 million euros ($882 million), according to Macron’s office — that there is still money left over for further investment in the building.
Now the Catholic Church expects the cathedral to welcome about 15 million visitors every year.
The cathedral says that starting Saturday, people will be able to book a free ticket online, on their website, social media or a dedicated app, to visit on that day or one or two days after booking. There will also be a line right there for those who want to enter without a reservation.
It will be open for visits on Sunday from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, but there may be stiff competition and long lines.
Group visits will be allowed next year – from Feb. 1 for religious groups or from June 9 for guided tourists.
