For the first time since an inferno gutted Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, the public has been given a glimpse inside.
President Emmanuel Macron visited the Gothic monument in the heart of the French capital to witness its remarkable rise from the ashes after the devastating fire of April 2019.
Around the world, people watched with horror as more than 600 firefighters battled the raging flames for 15 hours.
By the time the fire was extinguished, the wooden spire had been toppled, most of the roof destroyed, and the cathedral’s upper walls were severely damaged.
Five years later, Notre-Dame now stands with a transformed appearance.
Images broadcast live of Macron’s visit showed the inside of the cathedral.
Gaping holes that the fire tore into the vaulted ceilings are gone, now filled in with new stonework.
The president entered via the cathedral’s giant and intricately carved front doors and stared up at the ceilings in wonder.
‘This is overwhelming,’ he said, while examining the craftsmanship.
Footage showed the renovated stonework, vibrant colours, and other fruits of the mammoth reconstruction.
Its spire, rib vaulting, flying buttresses, stained-glass windows and carved stone gargoyles have been restored to their past glory, with the white stone and gold decorations shining brighter than ever.
Stone-carver Samir Abbas: ‘It was an exceptional renovation project.’
The 38-year-old said he was relieved at having finished on schedule, while waiting along with some 1,300 other workers in front of the cathedral.
Macron was joined by his wife Brigitte, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, Philippe Jost, head of the Rebuild Notre Dame project and Bas Smets, the architect and landscaper who designed the courtyard.
Their visit kicks off a series of events ahead of the reopening of the 12th-century masterpiece on December 8.
The president will return on December 7 to deliver an address and attend the consecration of the new altar during a solemn Mass the following day.
He hailed the reconstruction as a symbol of national unity and French can-do.
When can people visit Notre-Dame?
People can visit on the evening of December 8 from 5.30 pm to 8 ppm, but there is at first likely to be fierce competition – and long queues.
From early December, visitors will be able to book a free ticket online, on its website, social media or a dedicated app, to get into the building on the same day or one or two days after booking.
There will also be a queue on the spot for those who want to enter without a booking.
Groups will only get access next year – from February 1 for religious groups or from June 9 for tourists with guides.
Notre-Dame expects to welcome 14 to 15 million visitors every year. There is a huge debate in France over whether visitors should pay to get in.
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