Notre Dame Cathedral Reveals Stunning Restoration Ahead of Reopening
PARIS (AP) — After more than five years of extensive restoration following its devastating fire in April 2019, Notre Dame Cathedral unveiled its breathtaking interior to the public on Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron visited the landmark, showcasing newly rebuilt soaring ceilings and meticulously cleaned stonework that shine with vibrant hues under the light of a crisp winter day.
Despite ongoing exterior restoration, the renovated interior was a display of classical beauty, reminiscent of its historical grandeur. Gone are the scars from the fire, replaced by unblemished cream-colored limestone walls and intricately restored ceilings adorned with golden angels. Advanced cleaning techniques and traditional craftsmanship were employed, including powerful vacuum cleaning and delicate handwork by stonemasons and carpenters who refashioned the ruined roof using 2,000 oak trees.
Stonemason Adrien Willeme remarked on the extraordinary transformation, stating, “It feels like it was built yesterday, like it’s just been born.” Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte and the Archbishop of Paris, marveled at the cathedral’s revived splendor, emphasizing the restoration as a testament to national resilience. He lauded the workers’ efforts, calling it the "building site of the century."
Macron’s tour marks the beginning of events leading to the cathedral’s reopening on December 8, a moment expected to be as profound as the sorrow following the fire. As he addressed attendees, he stated, “The inferno of Notre Dame was a wound for the nation. And you were its remedy.”
With anticipation building for the cathedral’s official return to public worship, the restoration stands as a symbol of hope and perseverance for the French people and visitors worldwide.
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