Five years have passed since the huge fire that ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral, and with just eight months to go before it reopens, this is perhaps a good time to see what’s been done, and what’s left to do. Let’s take a look at this huge and fascinating project, the results of which will be, we believe, absolutely incredible…

Our hotels as just a few minutes’ walk from Notre-Dame, and we’ve been following the restoration work closely. At the beginning, most of the cathedral was covered up with scaffolding and nothing seemed to be happening, but a lot was going on behind the scenes, and now the time has come to reveal it.

It’s an exciting time, as the original ancient techniques have been used for the reconstruction (but with 21st century security standards), using the same materials as when the cathedral was originally built. Incredibly specialised French craftspeople have been working on the project for years (1,000 artisans from 250 different firms) and their talent is finally about to be revealed.

And it’s not just the exterior that has been restored – inside, the stone and stained glass windows have been cleaned, paintwork has been restored, and so that there is no visible difference, a special patina has been added to any new sections so that they blend in perfectly. A contest has been launched for six new contemporary stained glass windows, and the spire designed by Viollet-le-Duc (which has just had its scaffolding removed) had been reconstructed identically in solid oak with a thin protective layer of lead.

The cathedral’s organ was not burnt by the fire, but it did need restoring ans will be put back in place shortly. Any objects excessively fire-damaged will go to a Notre-Dame museum which will eventually open in the Hôtel-Dieu building just next to the cathedral.

All this work has been financed by donations – 846 million euros were given, and although the reopening is set for 8th December, work will continue after this date. Only in 2028 will restoration of the exterior and the main stained glass rose windows be completely finished.

The ‘Rebuilding Notre-Dame’ website rebatirnotredamedeparis.fr is a good source for news on the project, often with great photos accompanying the texts. You’ll be able to see close up the extraordinary detail in some pieces, like those on the grand ducs (literally, great dukes) which are eight birds of prey made of lead that guard the spire.

The site’s YouTube page also has some impressive videos, including one about creating and placing what is called ‘the forest’, the name for the cathedral’s wooden roof structure. The original dated back to the 13th century, and the new one has been created using the same techniques, i.e. with unseasoned wood shaped by hand. Incredible workmanship!

We recently walked all the way round the building site to take some photos, and the protective hoardings have a mine of information about the work taking place. It’s like an open-air museum, a sort of foretaste of the Notre-Dame Museum (for which the opening date has yet to be decided).

Every day a little more of the cathedral is revealed, and we are eager to visit the cathedral again. It will definitely look incredible. December can’t come soon enough!

In the meantime, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news on the restoration project, go to rebatirnotredamedeparis.fr, their Facebook page or their Instagram account.

And if you’re looking for a hotel super close to Notre-Dame, keep our hotels in mind! 😜

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Une publication partagée par Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris (@rebatirnotredamedeparis)