Notre Dame Cathedral: A masterpiece reborn after five years

On 7 December, the Cathedral hosted its first Mass after five years of restoration. The special ceremony was attended by over 40 heads of state, dignitaries, and celebrities, including US President-elect Donald Trump, Prince William of the UK, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and tech billionaire Elon Musk.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “the gratitude of all the French people” to those who had worked tirelessly to restore the cathedral over the past five years. “France has done what great nations are capable of—the impossible,” he said with pride.

In the lead-up to the event, Notre Dame Cathedral became one of Paris’s most sought-after tourist destinations. Following the restoration, both its interior and exterior have sparked global interest.

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The fire at Notre Dame Cathedral shocked the world, making the restoration of this iconic landmark an urgent priority. According to Philippe Jost, head of the reconstruction team, time was of the essence. More than 250 companies and 2,000 workers and artisans from across France worked relentlessly, under the watchful eyes of the global community. At the top of the new spire, a gilded bronze cross and rooster—which house relics of saints and a scroll bearing the names of all those involved in the restoration—stand as both a symbol of revival and a tribute to the workers who contributed to this monumental project.

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Led by chief architect Philippe Villeneuve, who won the bid for Notre Dame’s restoration, the workers overcame numerous challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, strict safety measures to protect against toxic lead dust, and the tragic death of Mr. Jean-Louis Georgelin, Mr. Jost’s predecessor.

In 2019, after five hours of work, the fire was finally extinguished just before midnight, allowing rescue workers to enter the cathedral and assess the damage. Fortunately, the bell towers, stained-glass rose windows, and precious artworks were largely intact. However, the cathedral’s structure was on the brink of collapse.

The fire not only blackened the limestone structures of Notre Dame but also had other severe consequences. Tens of thousands of cubic metres of firefighting water flooded the cathedral, carrying ash and lead, making the gables and monuments hazardous. Before repairs could begin, the building had to be urgently reinforced to ensure safety, a process that continued until 2021. Additionally, work to reinforce the support system and dismantle damaged scaffolding was carried out simultaneously.

The Notre Dame restoration project brought together a network of workshops and artisans from across France, merging traditional techniques with modern technology. More than 250 businesses, ranging from large corporations to small workshops, contributed to over 140 projects. Meticulous attention to detail and a spirit of collaboration helped restore intricate elements, such as the choir cross, crafted from steel, lead, brass, and gilded bronze, as well as traditional tools like the handcrafted axe.

The restoration was a seamless blend of time-honoured craftsmanship and cutting-edge methods. Artisans utilised both traditional tools, like axes for handcrafting, and modern technology to restore delicate features such as the choir cross.

As the project’s completion date draws near, the pace of construction at Notre Dame Cathedral has become increasingly urgent. Each day, around 600 workers labour tirelessly, coordinating closely to ensure steady progress. The wooden roof sections are carefully crafted in workshops outside Paris before being transported to the cathedral for final assembly. Alongside the structural restoration, modern safety measures, including fire protection and drainage systems, are being installed to safeguard the building from future risks.

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After more than five years of restoration, Notre Dame Cathedral officially reopened in December 2024, radiating its original splendour. The meticulous process revived the stained glass windows, restored the white limestone, and replaced damaged oak beams with new wood sourced from across France. Natural light poured into the cathedral’s nave, creating a sacred and magnificent atmosphere. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife expressed their admiration for the restored beauty of the historic building.

The restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral not only aimed to recreate the original Gothic architectural details but also focused on restoring the spire added by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century. Designer Guillaume Bardet, a prominent figure at the interior gallery Galerie Kreo, was entrusted with recreating the crucial interior, following a careful selection process by the Archbishop of Paris.

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Inspired by organic shapes, designer Guillaume Bardet crafted a serene interior for the church. With the altar, pulpit, sanctuary, tabernacle, and bronze baptismal font, he introduced simple yet refined lines that evoke timelessness and devotion. “The works should express the essence of the past, embrace the present, and welcome the future,” Bardet remarked.

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