The restored interior of Notre Dame cathedral has been revealed after more than five years of reconstruction work.
The rebuilt soaring ceilings and cream stonework helped to erase sombre memories of a devastating fire in 2019, when the cathedral’s roof burst into flames. The fire engulfed the spire and almost toppled the main bell towers. The roof collapsed but the bell towers and facade withstood the blaze.
Images broadcast live on Friday of a visit by French president Emmanuel Macron showed the inside of the cathedral as worshippers might have experienced it back in medieval times, its wide, open spaces filled with bright light on a crisp and sunny winter’s day.
Gaping holes left in the vaulted ceilings and charred piles of debris are now gone.
The occasion is Mr Macron’s final visit to the construction site to see the restoration for himself before the monument’s reopening for worship on December 8th.
Mr Macron’s visit kicks off a series of events ushering in the reopening of the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece.
He will return on December 7th to deliver an address and attend the consecration of the new altar during a solemn Mass the following day. – Agencies
