Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Half a decade after a catastrophic blaze reduced Notre Dame Cathedral to ruins, the beloved Parisian monument stands restored in all its glory.A first look at the completed interiors, revealed during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, showcases a detail-intensive transformation that blends cultural preservation with modern protections.The Gothic masterpiece will reopen for Catholic worship on Dec. 8.Macron praised the more than 1,000 craftspeople responsible for the building’s rehabilitation, calling it “the project of the century.”De-Sooting Stonework
Attendees including workers of reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral gather during a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron in the nave of the cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29, 2024. The Notre-Dame Cathedral is…
Attendees including workers of reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral gather during a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron in the nave of the cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29, 2024. The Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to reopen with a planned weekend of ceremonies on Dec. 7 and 8, 2024, five years after the 2019 fire which ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire.
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The cathedral’s nave, once darkened by soot and rubble, now radiates celestial light.Pale Lutetian limestone, revealed after layers of grime were stripped away, gleams under the sunlight streaming through restored stained-glass windows.The meticulous restoration process involved cleaning over 42,000 square meters of stone using innovative latex peels to strip away centuries of grime without causing damage.Altar’s Remnants of the Tragedy
This photograph shows the altar of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29, 2024. Restoration efforts involved cleaning over 42,000 square meters of stone using innovative techniques like latex peels to remove grime….
This photograph shows the altar of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29, 2024. Restoration efforts involved cleaning over 42,000 square meters of stone using innovative techniques like latex peels to remove grime.
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The altar preserves a striking symbol of the 2019 fire.Nicolas Coustou’s Pietà statue, which emerged largely unscathed, bears molten lead fused into Christ’s hand——a somber reminder of the blaze.Surrounding the altar, a carefully restored marquetry floor and the glowing Cross of Glory stand as testaments to resilience and renewal. It famously glowed eerily amid the flames during the blaze, and has been polished back to its true form.Reviving France Most Revered Organ
This photograph shows a part of the nave and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29, 2024. The organ was restored across two years in the cathedral’s silent, cavernous interior,…
This photograph shows a part of the nave and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29, 2024. The organ was restored across two years in the cathedral’s silent, cavernous interior, where harmonization was achieved entirely by ear.
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One of the largest in France, the cathedral’s organ underwent a painstaking two-year restoration.Among the largest in France, its 8,000 pipes, coated in lead dust during the fire, were disassembled, cleaned, and retuned entirely by ear. Each pipe ranged in size from that of a pen to 10 meters tall. Now, the towering wooden case gleams under the renewed clerestory windows.The instrument was tuned by ear using the vast space of the building.Stained Glass and Viollet-le-Duc’s Murals
Windows in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. Restoration work revealed traces of color…
Windows in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. Restoration work revealed traces of color tests left by 19th-century painters.
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Notre Dame’s 29 chapels burst with vibrant detail after decades of neglect.Intricate murals, gilded stars, and vivid motifs——many created under 19th century architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc——have been restored.The Chapel of Saint Marcel, in particular, dazzles with its radiant colors, compared by some to the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Remnants of color tests from innumerable 19th-century painters were found through the polishing of each slither of stained glass, surrounded by pale Lutetian limestone.Replacing the Scene of the Fire
People stroll in Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors the monument, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. Modern fire prevention systems, including thermal cameras, fireproof barriers, and advanced…
People stroll in Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors the monument, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. Modern fire prevention systems, including thermal cameras, fireproof barriers, and advanced misting technology, have been installed to safeguard the structure.
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The roof of the central intersection of the building, known in religious spaces as the transept crossing, was where the original spire collapsed in 2019.It proved one of the most challenging restoration tasks. New limestone vaults replicate medieval designs with staggering precision.Fragments of the 13th-century jubé, or choir screen, discovered during excavation, offer glimpses into the cathedral’s rich decorative past.Equipped with Modern Fireproofing
French President Emmanuel Macron (C-L) and his wife Brigitte Macron (C-R) visit the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29, 2024. The redesigned spire rises 96 meters (314 feet), faithfully replicating Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century…
French President Emmanuel Macron (C-L) and his wife Brigitte Macron (C-R) visit the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29, 2024. The redesigned spire rises 96 meters (314 feet), faithfully replicating Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century design.
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Thermal cameras, misting systems, and reinforced water supplies ensure Notre Dame is completely protected against any future fire disasters.The roof features medieval timber techniques faithfully recreated alongside state-of-the-art fire prevention systems.A new spire——replicating Viollet-le-Duc’s design——rises 96 meters and honors General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who oversaw the restoration until his death in 2023.His name is etched at its base, immortalizing his dedication to the project.This article includes reporting from The Associated Press