French President Emmanuel Macron climbed to the belfry of Notre Dame Cathedral to mark the official reopening of the iconic north and south towers, nearly six and a half years after a devastating 2019 fire. Public access to the towers begins Saturday.
Global Leaders Gathered for Cathedral’s Return
The cathedral itself reopened in December 2024 with a grand ceremony attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including First Lady Jill Biden, then President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Prince William, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
A Monument of History and Architecture
Built around 1260 AD, Notre Dame has long been a centerpiece of Gothic architecture and French heritage, once welcoming more than 13 million visitors annually—more than the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre.
Massive Restoration Effort
Rebuilding required 1,200 oak trees from forests across France and the work of 1,000 construction workers to replace the cathedral’s destroyed roof framework and restore the landmark to its former glory.
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