The most visited cultural site in France is open again after a devastating fire. Tourists say they are eager to see the results of the exceptional renovation.
Some tourists taking pictures of the cathedral, on the quay across the Seine. Célia Szymczak for IPJ News.
On the Île de la Cité, in the heart of Paris, all eyes are on Notre-Dame.
The square in front of the cathedral is still off-limits as workers put the finishing touches on a renovation that began five years ago, after fire that nearly destroyed the 12th-century landmark.
But throngs of tourists milling around the Gothic monument marvel at the restoration, snapping photos of the iconic bell towers and spire, which toppled when fire erupted on April 15, 2019.
The cathedral reopened on December 7 with a service that drew more than 50 leaders from around the world came, including the US and Ukrainian Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.
More than 2,000 craftspeople worked on the epic project, cleaning a coating of lead from scores of statues and each pipe of the massive organ, France’s largest musical instrument. Carpenters rebuilt the ancient beams of the attic with a forest of donated oak trees.
Tomas from Germany, who was visiting with his wife and two friends, praised the improvements, in particular new lighting that allowed a better view of the newly painted cream-colored walls. “It was very dark before, » he said.
Up to 40,000 people visit the cathedral each day, making it more popular than the Eiffel Tower. Since the renovation, Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, rector of Notre Dame, predicted up to 15 million more visitors each year.
Tourists interviewed on a recent day were excited to see the results of the renovation, which is expected to top 700 million euros. A fundraising effort collected 840 euros.
“Notre-Dame is so iconic,” said Chadwick, from Britain, who was walking with his girlfriend along the banks of the Seine in the shadow of the cathedral. But their visit would have to wait for next time. The couple could not get tickets online.
A new booking platform allows visitors to reserve tickets online, but many people interviewed said all dates this month were already booked, and the platform didn’t allow them to reserve in January. Entry is free, as always, even by ticket. Church officials rejected calls to charge admission.
Olivia from Utah planned to tour the city’s top churches with her friend Lisa, with Notre-Dame at the top of the list. « Sainte-Chapelle, Sacré-Coeur, Notre-Dame, they are the ones,” she said, smiling.
To their surprise, the women had no reservations but waited only 10 minutes to enter the cathedral. “Super easy,” Olivia said.
After an afternoon visit with sunlight spilling through the restored stain glass window, the friends were not disappointed. “I am religious, so for me, it was also a spiritual experience,” Olivia said.
She was struck by the scent of the church, which underwent a thorough cleaning after centuries of incense and grime. “It smells new,” she added.
Phillipe, a bookseller on the Montebello quay across from the cathedral, said so far he has not seen the predicted influx of tourists. “But maybe, they are going to come back in spring or summer, when the weather is better,” he said. “I hope there will be many people.”
Célia Szymczak