Summary
Expected Reopening of Notre Dame
The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris is anticipated to welcome visitors by the end of 2024. However, the reconstruction that began last year is not expected to be completed until 2025. General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who is overseeing the project, has expressed his goal to reopen to the public in December 2024, as he informed the Associated Press.
Details on the Reconstruction
The team is in the process of rebuilding the iconic spire of the cathedral, which suffered a collapse during the devastating fire in 2019. This spire, originally added by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc during the 19th-century restoration, is expected to gradually reappear this year, standing at 315 feet tall.
“The return of the spire in Paris’ sky will, in my opinion, symbolize our victory in the battle for Notre Dame,” remarked Georgelin. He further emphasized, “My job is to ensure this cathedral opens in 2024. We are making significant progress every day.” Therefore, there is a shared sense of optimism regarding the completion timeline.
Visitor Information
Although the reopening is approaching, it will not coincide with the 2024 Olympics in Paris, which was a goal set by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2021.
Notre Dame is among the most Instagrammed UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally. The cathedral experienced extensive damage because of the fire in April 2019. In the interim years, officials have opened certain sections to the public. For example, in 2020, the city reopened the crypt beneath Notre Dame, after ensuring it was safe from toxic lead dust resulting from the blaze. Moreover, visitors can now explore the public plaza at the cathedral’s main entrance.
Changes to the Surroundings
Currently, guests can walk through a new exhibition titled “Notre-Dame de Paris: At the Heart of the Construction Site,” which is situated in an underground facility directly in front of the cathedral.
The gothic cathedral’s reconstruction will largely restore it to its former grandeur; however, the grounds are undergoing significant transformations as well. Last year, landscape architect Bureau Bas Smets was awarded the project to redevelop the area surrounding the cathedral. This redevelopment plans to include an enlarged square behind the cathedral, a new park, an underground walkway, a welcome center, as well as an archaeological museum.
