747 live How Notre-Dame Was Reborn

The embers of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris were still hot when President Emmanuel Macron vowed that France would rebuild it to be “more beautiful than ever.”747 live

Then the French leader gave a deadline so ambitious it took many aback: “I want this to be finished in five years,” Mr. Macron said.

It was April 2019, and flames had just torn through the 860-year-old Gothic monument, obliterating its ancient wood and lead roofing and sending the tip of its spire crashing through the stone vaults below. Some called the deadline feasible. Others said it was wildly unrealistic.

Now, after five and a half years and about $900 million in donations, France is on the verge of success.

Renovations to the cathedral’s exterior will continue, but the bulk of what was destroyed has been restored. Excitement is mounting just days before Notre-Dame reopens for millions of tourists and pilgrims.

ImageAs Notre-Dame burned, Paris, and much of the rest of the world, looked on aghast.Credit...Thierry Mallet/Associated Press

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

Want all of The Times? Subscribe.747 live

• 747 live
• How
• was
• Notre-Dame
• Reborn