Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen its doors on December 8th, after a five-year restoration following the devastating fire of April 2019.
The official inauguration and handover from the State to the Catholic Church will take place on December 7th, marked by a liturgical celebration, the awakening of the organ, and the blessing of the restored cathedral.
Though much of the restoration work has been completed, several tasks remain as more than 500 craftsmen and specialists continue their efforts to restore the cathedral to its former glory.
The reconstruction of the broken vaults and destroyed roofs was a major undertaking, with reassembling the collapsed spire posing significant challenges. Symbolic elements, such as the mediaeval statue of the angel with the trumpet, have been returned to their rightful places after careful restoration.
Inside, the cathedral’s walls will be covered with a light ochre coating, giving the church a brighter, more luminous appearance. The organ has been reinstalled, though not yet operational, and the bells are set to arrive in the autumn.
While the structure has been restored to its original grandeur, debates persist about the interior renovation and the liturgical equipment, which will be among the final additions before the reopening.
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