(Paris) The reconstruction of Notre-Dame is progressing as planned despite the disappearance this summer of General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who supervised the work, and his spire will be visible at the opening of the Olympic Games in July 2024, assured Thursday his successor.
For his first speech since his appointment last week, Philippe Jost, who was previously the right-hand man of the general who died suddenly in the mountains, also assured on franceinfo that the reopening of the cathedral, ravaged by a gigantic fire in 2019, was still planned for December 2024.
The disappearance of Jean-Louis Georgelin “could” have had an impact on the pace of the work “but, in fact, we really have the determination to continue his work. We owe it to many, but we also owe it to him,” said Mr. Jost.
He also anticipated that the spire and the silhouette of the cathedral should be visible during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, which should take place on the Seine.
“The silhouette of the cathedral has completely changed since the fire. I hope that, during the Olympic Games in July 2024, we will also have found this large roof of the cathedral and this spire above. And everyone will perceive at that moment that we are really very close to reopening a few months later,” he continued.
The spire, a “masterpiece of wooden framing”, will rise up to 100 meters in height and will be visible “at the end of 2023”.
It will be revealed “as and when we cover this spire with its cover to protect the wooden frame, throughout the first half of 2024”.
Inside, Notre-Dame “is still under construction, but when you enter, you are struck by its brilliance”, the cleaning and interior restorations being “almost completed today”, Mr. Jost also revealed.