PARIS — The bells of Notre Dame have started ringing once more, yet many Parisians are left questioning the effectiveness of the monumental restoration, as scaffolding still surrounds the historic cathedral. Concerns are growing whether the much-anticipated reopening carries substantial meaning or is merely a symbolic gesture.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to review the ongoing reconstruction efforts on Friday, marking his conclusion of tours at the site. He will witness firsthand the meticulous refurbishments of the cathedral’s interiors, while simultaneously observing the cranes and ongoing construction obscuring the exterior of this nearly 900-year-old landmark.
Following the catastrophic fire in April 2019 that led to the destruction of the iconic spire and roof, Macron made a bold promise to restore Notre Dame to an even more splendid state, aiming for completion within a five-year timeframe. However, the actual situation has revealed a more intricate process unfolding.
Though the interior is scheduled to reopen to visitors on December 8, 2023, the scaffolding at the base of the newly restored spire is projected to remain until 2025, with another three years of work necessary for the east side of the cathedral, as noted by Philippe Jost, the project director.
The aftermath of the fire has left a tangible void in the heart of Paris, with residents eagerly wishing to fill it with the cathedral’s reopening. Nonetheless, some locals express disappointment, anticipating a complete restoration of the outside to match the renewed interiors. A staggering 140 million euros (approximately $150 million) of unallocated funding still sits in the reconstruction budget, hinting at the scale of unfinished work. Numerous cranes, temporary worker facilities, and extensive remaining scaffolding contribute to a scene many find unappealing.
“It’s an eyesore,” remarked a 54-year-old lawyer named Anne Leclerc. “It feels like a half-finished project.” Jean-Baptiste Lefèvre, a retired educator aged 65, reminisced about Macron’s ambitious timeline and questioned if the upcoming reopening was being hastily arranged to accommodate political motives as the current president’s term nears its conclusion in 2027. “It’s politics; he wants it finished while he’s still president,” Lefèvre suggested.
The Notre Dame project has been a construction site for an extended period, predating the fire. In fact, scaffolding had previously been erected for restoration work that was interrupted by the blaze. The structural remnants of melted metal from the fire had to be dismantled before workers could commence the rebuilding process in earnest.
Notably, the fire caused severe damage to the cathedral’s intricate roof and wooden beam framework, which was so elaborate that it had earned the nickname “the forest.” Furthermore, the flames demolished the spire and compromised the interior with fallen debris.
Experts in architecture underscore the remarkable pace of the restoration, recognizing the challenges posed by modern safety protocols and the necessity for historical fidelity. Historians urge the public to exercise patience, reminding that the original construction of Notre Dame spanned almost 200 years, starting in 1163. “The reconstruction of Notre Dame symbolizes hope for everyone,” affirmed Rev. Olivier Ribadeau-Dumas, the cathedral’s rector.
Pandemic-induced delays have tempered initial projections for a complete restoration by 2024. The late General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who led the reconstruction efforts, remarked in 2023 that the reopening would be “partial.” Meanwhile, Macron’s administration frames the restoration as a testament to French perseverance, drawing parallels to other national achievements, such as the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Macron’s visit on Friday will mark his seventh to the site since the fire, with officials asserting he will see pristine stonework, vaults reconstructed to their original 13th-century architecture, and the resplendent golden cross at the altar. The murals, particularly in the Saint-Marcel Chapel, have returned to their vibrant hues, and sculptures of the former monarchs Louis XIII and XIV have been renewed in appearance, they claim.
A grand reopening is planned, with a ceremony featuring Macron’s speech on December 7, followed by an inaugural mass the next day, heralding the cathedral’s reemergence into public life. For the initial week, the public will have access until 10 p.m. with free entry on a ticketed basis. Liturgical activities will continue in full from December 16. The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, anticipates that Notre Dame will soon attract a greater number of visitors than it did prior to the fire, forecasting around 15 million visitors per year, seemingly confident that for many, the ongoing construction work will not overshadow this momentous return.