"French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday reopened the two great mediaeval towers of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris for public visits, one of the final steps in its immense reconstruction following a devastating fire. The inauguration of the restored towers by Macron, who has spearheaded reconstruction efforts since the April 15th, 2019 fire, comes a day before the opening weekend when the public can finally climb the 424 stairs to enjoy unmatched views of Paris."
"Their reopening marks another landmark in the vast reconstruction process which is still ongoing even after the December 7th, 2024 reopening of the cathedral in a glittering ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump weeks before his own inauguration. Macron was given the honour of being the first person to be given a tour round the newly-restored towers which also allows a close view of the cathedral's famous gargoyles - grotesque sculptures of mythical beasts that adorn its exterior walls."
"Visitors will enjoy an approximately 45-minute tour which begins in the south tower with an ascent to the belfry, before reaching the terraces which will also take them past the cathedral's two main bells, before descending via the north tower. "This route already existed before the fire, but it has been greatly improved in many ways," said Philippe Jost, Macron's pointman for the reconstruction, pointing to new viewpoints and spaces for visitors."
French President Emmanuel Macron reopened the two medieval towers of Notre-Dame in Paris for public visits as part of the cathedral's reconstruction after the April 15, 2019 fire. The reopening follows the cathedral's December 7, 2024 return to service. Macron received the first tour of the restored towers, which offer close views of the cathedral's famous gargoyles. Visitors follow an approximately 45-minute route beginning in the south tower with an ascent to the belfry, pass the terraces and the cathedral's two main bells, then descend via the north tower. Philippe Jost said the pre-fire route was retained and significantly improved with new viewpoints and visitor spaces. The towers opened during France's Journees du Patrimoine and free weekend tickets sold out within 24 minutes.
Read at www.thelocal.fr
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