Since the fire which ravaged the cathedral on April 15, 2019, Notre-Dame de Paris is no longer accessible to the public. But not for long, since it will reopen its doors in a month and a half, on December 8, 2024. Just after the fire, the authorities bet on restoring the cathedral in five years. And to achieve this feat, several trades specializing in an age-old craft have outdone themselves to restore Notre-Dame to its splendor before the fire. Work which has slightly disrupted life in the neighborhood, but which has allowed people to discover – or rediscover – the cathedral in a new light.
It has become a ritual. For several months, Chantal has come to sit every afternoon on the stands installed on the square to contemplate the facade of the cathedral. Riverine of Notre-Dame of Parisshe saw her neighborhood transform during the work. “ All the surrounding businesses have closed because there are fences there and behind Notre-Dame, there are still fences. There were plenty of restaurants there, she regrets, restaurants, it’s nice. And all these restaurants are closed because eating in front of a fence is not very pleasant. »
Although the neighborhood’s businesses have lost customers, the number of tourists has not decreased. “We are normally guides inside the cathedral and, since April 15, 2019, we have been guides on the square, relates Christine, member of an association made up of volunteers who give tours of the interior of the cathedral. This means that we no longer work with groups that book in advance. Before, we were in the cathedral and we made an announcement so that people in the cathedral could contact us if they wanted to have explanations about the monument. »
Visit Notre-Dame de Paris differently
A resident of Notre-Dame, Richard believes that the tragedy of the fire allowed the public to rediscover the monument in a different way. “ The district was very visited by tourists, who came to see the photo exhibitions which tell a little of the history of Notre-Dame since the fire. he notices.
And, according to him, Notre-Dame and its square were reinvested in a different way: “And then there were celebrations in the square, times of prayer so that people could come together, even during the Olympic Games. So that means there is life. And I think that people have gradually become accustomed to another way of attending Notre-Dame. From a distance, but faithfully, on the square. »
On the square, a photo exhibition shows the trades participating in the work. “ It’s very interesting, really. And it’s very well explained, it’s not too complicated and there’s enough information, enthuses a Swedish tourist. I know there are many different trades needed for reconstruction. » French visitors are also rejoicing : “It’s simply magical, this ability to make trades work together. I don’t know how many there are, a hundred, and to have them work like that, so well, is extraordinary. »
Before the fire, Notre-Dame de Paris welcomed 12 million visitors per year. It should accommodate 15 million from its reopening to the public on December 8, 2024.
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