In April 2019, Notre-Dame Cathedral was engulfed by flames, and was put out by more than 500 firefighters. Days later, President Emmanuel Macron vowed that the restoration would be finished within five years.
"In the course of our history, we've built cities, ports, churches. Many have burned or were destroyed in wars, revolutions or by man's mistakes. Each time, each time, we've rebuilt them," Macron said at the time. "The fire at Notre-Dame reminds us that our history doesn’t end."
His prediction seems to be coming true: The cathedral is set to reopen on December 8, 2024—five years and seven months later. "The schedule is tight," Philippe Villeneuve, the chief architect in charge of the reconstruction, said. "But we're on track."
Reverend Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, told the Associated Press, "The expectations, the preparations for the reopening are a magnificent sign of hope in a difficult world." Henri Chalet, the cathedral's principal choir conductor, also shared his excitement, saying, "We are obviously impatient to be able to go back. It really is our home, in the sense that we were there every evening for services and also for concerts every week."
Chalet added, "Now, we really feel there is light at the end of the tunnel, with a lot of joy, enthusiasm and a little stress."
When King Charles and Queen Camilla were in France for a State Visit, they visited the cathedral to view the restoration efforts. "Having been utterly appalled by the scenes of such devastation following the catastrophic fire four and a half years ago, my wife and I look forward to visiting that magnificent cathedral tomorrow, to see for ourselves how centuries-old crafts have been revived and passed onto apprentices who are helping to restore Notre Dame to its former glory," the King said the evening before their visit.
The reconstruction has cost around $755 million so far, according to the New York Times.
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.
