Five years on: What’s next for Notre Dame?

Five years ago on 15 April 2019, the world watched in horror as the Notre Dame Cathedral burned. 850 years of history in flames. But all was not lost. And we’re beginning to see some major progress on the reconstruction of the building.

So, what’s next?

When will Notre Dame re-open?

Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to re-open on December 8, 2024, while the redevelopment of its surroundings is slated for public opening in 2027.

What is the status of Notre Dame today?

Reconstruction and refurbishment of the cathedral is well underway. The spire has been entirely rebuilt and the scaffolding has only recently been removed. Replacing the previous rooster atop the spire is now a phoenix. Inside the golden bird are religious relics as well as a scroll with the names of the artisans, donors and patrons that allowed Notre Dame to be rebuilt from the ashes.

Here is a video released by news site le Parisien comparing Notre Dame during the 2019 fire to its current state.

How has Notre Dame been rebuilt?

In the aftermath of Notre Dame’s fire, numerous architectural firms proposed designs for its reconstruction. Ultimately, the focus has been on historical accuracy, driven by public demand and a 2019 law preserving its significance.

Artisans have combined the methods and tools of the past with those of present day to reconstruct the cathedral. On the podcast we spoke with Magnus Frimer-Larsen, one of the carpenters involved, who said that “being able to work in the same ways that this cathedral was originally crafted has been very special.”

You can hear more from the artisans working on the rebuild here, or listen below, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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How to experience Notre Dame before it reopens

1) The virtual reality experience of Notre Dame is nothing short of exceptional. The exhibit opened at the foot of the Notre Dame cathedral and takes you on a journey through the 850 years of Notre Dame’s history. You can book your ticket here.

2) Visit the crypt of Notre Dame, where you can find remnants of ancient Paris as well as plaques, pictures, and even caricatures from Notre Dame’s history, including architect Violett-Le-Duc and Victor Hugo’s Quasimodo and Esmerelda. Learn more here.

3) Also, the north, south and west sides of the cathedral have an excellent series of photographs of the interior, with information in French and English about the progress.

What was it like to see the Notre Dame fire?

Philippe Hertzberg from tour company Secret Journeys has worked very closely with the cathedral, and was on site during the fire. He talked about the tragedy, the history of the cathedral, and its future – explaining how renovation, restoration, and rebirth have long been themes of this iconic Parisian landmark.

Listen to our chat below (from 2019), or find it wherever you get your podcasts:

What was Paris Centre mayor doing during the fire?

Ariel Weil, the Mayor of Paris Centre, was on the podcast to discuss the reconstruction process in 2019. He also shared the story of what he was doing on the night of the fire, including a pretty chilling meeting with the president and the fire fighting chief.

You can listen to the episode below and be sure to subscribe for more like this.

Writer Agnes Poirier tackles Notre Dame

We met the writer Agnès Poirier in 2020 at the Saint Regis Cafe to discuss her book: Notre Dame: the Soul of France.

What was it like the evening of the fire?

The Earful Tower recorded the atmosphere on the Paris streets during the fire of Notre Dame.

How did Notre Dame look before the fire?

Just months before the fire we put together this video on a visit to Notre Dame with no tourists, no waiting time, and some incredible background music from the practicing choir.

Here is another video where we explored the perimeter with an expert tour guide, also soon before the blaze.

Stay tuned to this channel for more updates from the Notre Dame restoration.