Reconstruction of Saint-Denis Cathedral's North Tower Underway in Paris Suburb

The reconstruction of the 90-meter north tower of the Basilica of Saint-Denis, the Gothic cathedral and royal necropolis north of Paris, is now underway. The project, led by the association Suivez la Flèche under director Nicolas Matyjasik, aims to restore the tower that was demolished in 1846 after storm damage. The decision to rebuild was made in 2015 by then-President François Hollande. The €38 million project is funded by private sponsors and local authorities, with no state support. Using medieval techniques, about 15% of the 15,228 stones will be hand-cut on-site by artisans. The educational construction site is open to visitors, with stone cutting in winter and reassembly resuming in March. Completion is expected by 2030. The project has sparked debate between those favoring historical accuracy and those deeming it unnecessary. The basilica currently attracts 150,000 visitors annually, and the association hopes the project will boost tourism to the multicultural Parisian suburb.