Notre-Dame restoration on track for 2024 reopening despite criticism
The restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is progressing towards a scheduled reopening in five years, as assured by French President Emmanuel Macron. Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak announced that the cathedral will welcome visitors in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The overall cost of the project exceeds €840 million, with a third of the funding provided by billionaires François Pinault and Bernard Arnault. The initial phase, which concluded in August 2021 at a cost of €165 million, focused on securing the structure. The subsequent phase involves rebuilding and restoring various elements. Studies have connected two charred sarcophagi to prelate Antoine de La Porte. The new roof will mimic Eugène Viollet-le-Duc's design, utilizing over 1,000 oak trees. Restoration of the great organ is necessary, and all stained glass windows will be restored off-site.
Key facts
- Notre-Dame fire occurred on April 15, 2019
- Emmanuel Macron promised reopening within five years
- Rima Abdul Malak confirmed reopening for 2024 Paris Olympics
- Restoration budget exceeds €840 million
- François Pinault and Bernard Arnault donated one-third of the budget
- First phase cost €165 million, completed August 2021
- Second phase involves rebuilding destroyed elements and restoring damaged ones
- Inrap and University of Toulouse studied two sarcophagi, identifying Antoine de La Porte
- New roof is a replica of Viollet-le-Duc's design using over 1,000 oaks
- Great organ needs restoration; choir organ must be rebuilt
- Stained glass windows survived and will be restored off-site
- Interior walls cleaned with Arte Mundit latex to reveal original off-white stone
- Arte Mundit previously caused health issues at St Paul's Cathedral; new formula is non-toxic
- Forecourt to be redesigned by Bas Smets
Entities
Artists
- Eugène Viollet-le-Duc
- Victor Hugo
- Antoine de La Porte
Institutions
- Notre-Dame de Paris
- Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris
- Inrap
- University of Toulouse
- Kering
- LVMH
- Louvre
- Saint Paul's Cathedral
- Friends of Notre Dame de Paris
- Magnum Photos
- Artribune
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Île de la Cité
- London
- England