Five years after a devastating fire ravaged the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, images and videos have offered a first look inside the restored structure. French President Emmanuel Macron, who toured the cathedral prior to its December 8th public reopening, described the experience as "overwhelming." While the exterior remains a construction site, the interior showcases the cathedral's vibrant original colors, revealed through meticulous restoration efforts.
The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen on Friday Nov. 29, 2024.
Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich expressed eagerness to welcome the world back to the cathedral, highlighting the seemingly impossible feat of restoration within five years. Carpenters, using traditional methods, reconstructed the roof and spire that collapsed during the 2019 inferno. Nearly $1 billion in donations fueled the rebuilding efforts, with approximately $148 million remaining for ongoing preservation work, according to restoration chief Philippe Jost.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the restored interiors of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral.
Notre Dame suffered a devastating fire in April 2019.
The Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris, instrumental in fundraising, noted the cathedral's pre-fire precarious condition. Michel Picaud, the organization's president, emphasized the expanded scope of the project due to the fire's extensive damage.
The tabernacle of the Notre Dame Cathedral is seen on Friday, Nov. 28.
The 2019 fire caused the spire on top of Notre Dame to collapse.
Windows in the heart of Notre Dame are seen on Friday, Nov. 28.
President Macron will return for a formal address on December 7th and attend the consecration of the new altar during a Mass on December 8th.
