As people around the world struggle to come to terms with the loss of such a landmark, we are asking readers to share their memories of this beautiful building with us.
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NOTRE DAME
Share your memories: Tell us what Notre-Dame cathedral means to you
The flames may be out, but the Paris landmark, visited by around 13 million people a year, faces a long struggle ahead. Tell us how you feel about Notre-Dame and what memories you have of the historic building.
Published: 16 April 2019 09:59 CEST
Firefighters damping down at the site of Notre-Dame on Tuesday morning. Photo: AFP
HISTORY
Notre-Dame restoration work begins as Paris cathedral on track to reopen in 2024
France's Notre-Dame cathedral is finally ready to undergo restoration work more than two years after a blaze ravaged the heritage landmark, and remains on course to reopen in 2024, authorities said Saturday, following months of painstaking work to secure the building.
Published: 20 September 2021 09:34 CEST
The great mediaeval edifice survived the inferno on April 15th, 2019, but the spire collapsed and much of the roof was destroyed.
The focus until now had been on making the cathedral safe before restoration work could begin, which included the strenuous task of removing 40,000 pieces of scaffolding that were damaged in the blaze.
“The cathedral stands solid on its pillars, its walls are solid, everything is holding together,” said Jean-Louis Georgelin, head of the public entity tasked with rebuilding the cathedral.
Scaffolding in the interior of the building as the restoration phase begins. Photo by Thomas SAMSON / POOL / AFP
“We are determined to win this battle of 2024, to reopen our cathedral in 2024. It will be France’s honour to do so and we will do so because we are all united on this goal.”
The aim is to celebrate the first full service in the cathedral on April 16th, 2024 – five years after the fire – despite delays caused by the pandemic and the lead that spread during the blaze.
The Notre-Dame spire, a later addition to the medieval building, was completely destroyed in the blaze. Photos by AFP
Authorities will now call for tenders to select the companies to carry out the restoration work.
The cathedral’s interior walls and floors will also undergo “a thorough cleaning process” later this month.
Notre-Dame’s famous Grand Organ is already being restored, with its 8,000 pipes dismantled and sent to organ builders all over France.
It is expected to be put together again in October 2023, said Georgelin, the former head of France’s armed forces who was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron to oversee rebuilding efforts.
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