Nearly five years ago, on April 15, 2019, the Notre-Dame Cathedral was devastated by a dramatic fire. Just over eight months before its scheduled reopening on December 8, franceinfo takes you to the heart of the restoration work.
Close to five years after the fire that caused significant damage to Notre-Dame, both inside and out, the cathedral is gradually regaining its exceptional character. About fifty meters above ground, roofers have taken over from carpenters who have completed their work. Over the summer, they will cover the roof with lead plates.
Remi Pinkiewicz, the site manager from the UTB company, is working on covering the choir of Notre-Dame. Each lead plate has a specific position on the cathedral. This precision is a testament to the cathedral’s unique characteristics, as the lead plates are strategically placed with attention to detail.
“We can install about ten to fifteen lead plates per day, but as we increase the workforce in the teams, we aim to reach 40 to 50 plates per day,” continues Remi Pinkiewicz. This meticulous work is part of the restoration process to return Notre-Dame to its former glory.
Outside the cathedral, work is also ongoing on the gables of the transept. Sculptor Nicolas Clerget has just completed a replica of the statue of Saint-Martin, which will be placed on the south gable. This statue, which measures 2.57 meters, is meticulously crafted to replicate the original design imagined by Viollet-le-Duc.
Inside the cathedral, restoration work is also progressing. The grand organ has been unveiled, revealing its remarkable beauty. 1,000 of the 8,000 pipes that make up the organ have been reinstalled. The process of tuning and harmonizing the pipes will begin soon, ensuring the organ’s musical soul is restored.
The restoration work includes uncovering the colored decorations within the cathedral, such as the murals in the Saint-Georges Chapel. The restoration reveals the vibrant and detailed work of Viollet-le-Duc, including an altar thought to be created by him for the chapel.
The reconstruction of the vault of the transept crossing, made possible by the dismantling of the spire scaffolding, is a symbolic step expected to take place at the end of spring. This moment marks a significant milestone in the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
