The devastating fire that damaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2019 led to an unprecedented wave of international solidarity to ensure its restoration and French authorities recently unveiled a final phase of work to be carried out from 2027 to 2033. Source: EWTN News.
Although the cathedral reopened for worship in December 2024, restoration work is not yet complete.
The planned investment amounts to 150 million euros ($247m). Of that sum, nearly 20 million euros has already been secured, while the remainder is to come from donations from individuals, companies, and partner organisations, following the funding model used to rebuild the monument after the fire.
“Our goal is to fully complete the cathedral’s restoration,” Philippe Jost, president of Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris (Rebuilding Notre Dame in Paris), said in an interview with the French Catholic newspaper La Croix.
The program consists of about a dozen projects aimed both at repairing damage done by the fire and at restoring elements of cultural heritage that were already in a fragile state of preservation prior to 2019.
The planned works feature the complete restoration of the great western rose window, one of the most iconic examples of European Gothic architecture. This historic, 13th-century stained-glass window has not undergone a complete restoration since the work directed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century.
The plans also include the restoration of the north transept façades, various medieval sculptures, and other architectural elements showing signs of wear. Project leaders believe these works will be crucial for ensuring the cathedralʼs long-term preservation.
The reopening of Notre Dame in late 2024 allowed the resumption of the cathedralʼs ordinary liturgical life. Since then, thousands of the faithful and tourists have once again passed through its doors each day.
However, the fire also made evident conservation issues that had accumulated over decades in a building with more than eight centuries of history. Consequently, the new phase of work aims not only to repair fire damage but also to address broader structural and heritage-related needs.
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Notre-Dame Cathedral enters final stage of restoration following 2019 fire (By Victoria Cardiel, EWTN News, via La Croix)
