The scaffolding around the spire of Notre-Dame rises into the Paris sky

The sky over Paris has changed since Tuesday with the raising of the scaffolding which maintains the new spire of Notre-Dame burned down on April 15, 2019.

A shape of an spire now rises to the top of the scaffolding of Notre-Dame Cathedral, ravaged by a fire in 2019, noted an AFP photographer. The public establishment responsible for supervising the construction site did not wish to comment on the progress of this reconstruction which continues. The spire structure is still to be covered with a cover and its ornaments in the coming days. The reopening of Notre-Dame is scheduled for December 8, 2024, after the Paris Summer Olympics, a date confirmed by Emmanuel Macron at the end of August.

Alike

Last Friday, the establishment indicated that the “familiar silhouette” of the arrow would be visible “before Christmas”culminating 96 meters above the ground. “The solid oak structure or framework of the spire will be completed in December”, specified the same source. The spire, identical to the previous one, designed by the 19th century architect Viollet-le-Duc, and which collapsed in the fire of April 15, 2019, will however remain surrounded by the scaffolding which was used to erect the this structure.

He “will be used for the installation of its lead cover and ornaments in 2024”, added the establishment. In parallel, “the assembly of the frames of the nave and the choir of the cathedral – which also collapsed in the fire – will be completed at the beginning of 2024, the date on which the installation of their roofing can also begin”.

1,500 designer chairs

On the interior catering side, “the simultaneous cleaning of the walls, painted decorations and vaults (with a total area of ​​42,000 m2) is being completed and the scaffolding is being dismantled gradually”, added this source. The cathedral must be ready to welcome its new liturgical furniture in dark brown bronze, as well as 1,500 openwork design chairs in solid oak, during the last quarter of 2024.

A masterpiece of Gothic art admired throughout the world, Notre-Dame de Paris welcomed 12 million visitors on average each year before the fire, 2,500 services and 150 concerts.