People stroll through the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the monument’s restored interiors in Paris on Friday. Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP

PARIS — Five years after a catastrophic fire reduced Notre Dame Cathedral to ashes, journalists got their first look at the Gothic masterpiece’s fully restored interiors during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron. transformation It is nothing short of breathtaking: light dances across the shiny stones, gilded accents shine anew and the grandeur of the iconic monument is reborn. Starting December 8, visitors will once again marvel at the cathedral’s blend of history and craftsmanship.

Here’s a reporter’s perspective:

NAVE: BRIGHT STONE

The nave, once darkened with soot and rubble, now radiates an ethereal radiance. Visitors can see the true color of the cathedral’s walls: pale Lutetian limestone (named after Lutecia, the Latin word for Paris) that glistens in the sunlight filtering through the restored stained-glass windows. Newly discovered yellow hues highlight the soaring Gothic columns and ribbed vaults, creating a bright and uplifting atmosphere. Restorers say that this is the first time in centuries that the real stone has been unearthed.

The polished checkerboard marble floor that glistens underfoot is so smooth you could almost glide on it; It communicates with the gilded, gold-grid section of the choir area.

Overhead, incandescent chandeliers hang majestically in each of the vaulted arches, stretching from west to east and casting a warm, golden light across the nave.

The meticulous restoration process involved cleaning more than 42,000 square meters of stone (an area equivalent to approximately six football fields) using innovative latex shells to remove centuries of dirt without causing damage. Conservators have uncovered wall markings etched by medieval builders; these bore the intimate imprint of the craftsmen who shaped Notre Dame in the 12th and 13th centuries.

This sparkling transformation stands in stark contrast to the 2019 wreck, where the nave was littered with charred debris.

ALTAR: FLAME IN CHRTIST’S HAND

The altar in the cathedral’s aisle bears a poignant symbol of the devastation caused by fire. Nicolas Coustou’s Pietà, part of the Vœu de Louis XIII assemblage, survived largely unscathed, but molten lead from the fire fused into Christ’s hand. Restorers chose to preserve it as a subtle but powerful reminder of the tragedy.

The intricate inlaid flooring surrounding the altar, long hidden under layers of soil, was assembled from fragments uncovered after the fire.

Nearby, literally glowing in the flames, the polished Victory Cross stands, now restored to all its brilliance. Framed by the bright yellow stonework of the nave, the cross serves as the centerpiece of the cathedral’s rebirth.

ORGAN: A COMPLEX REVIVAL

French President Emmanuel Macron (second from right) and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris on Friday. Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool via AP

The grand organ, among the largest and most storied organs in France, has gone through a complex revival. Protected from the flames but covered in lead dust, its 8,000 pipes, ranging in size from pencil size to 33 feet, were meticulously disassembled, cleaned and returned. Over two years, this work was carried out with precision in the cathedral’s quiet, cavernous interior, where harmony was achieved entirely by ear.

The magnificence of the organ is now indisputable. Its towering wooden case, marked with carvings left by old masters, glistens in the sunlight filtering through the restored mezzanine windows. It arouses admiration even in silence.

CHAPELS: WALLS REDISCOVERED

The 29 chapels surrounding the nave and choir are brimming with color and detail previously dulled by dirt and neglect. Restorers revealed intricate murals, gilded stars on the ceilings, and vibrant motifs originally created under the direction of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Each chapel tells a unique story through its designs and themes.

The Chapel of St. Marcel stands out as a masterpiece with its vividly restored mural of the saint’s relics. Visitors are mesmerized by its bright colors, creating a visual fireworks display similar to the Sistine Chapel in Rome. In other chapels, traces of color experiments of 19th century painters hidden in hidden corners shed light on their artistic processes.

TRANSCEPT TRANSITION: REBUILDING UNDER PRESSURE

The transept, where the original tower collapsed, represented one of the most formidable challenges of the restoration. Above, towering new domes made of Lutetian limestone replicate the medieval originals with remarkable precision.

Beneath the transept, archaeologists have uncovered a treasure trove of history: fragments of Notre Dame’s medieval jubé, or choir curtain, buried beneath the rubble. These intricately carved stones, some still bearing faint traces of polychrome paint, provide a rare glimpse into the cathedral’s vibrant decorative history from the 13th century.

ROOF, TOWER AND SECURITY MEASURES

The newly restored roof draws gaze skyward, where medieval wood techniques have been faithfully recreated. The intricate timber framing known as the “Forest” remains hidden beneath the roofline, but a brief look at the rafters reveals the precision of both ancient and modern craftsmanship.

The choir stands of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral are seen as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interior of the monument in Paris on Friday. Stephane de Sakutin, via Havuz AP

Outside, the tower rises 96 meters, faithfully replicating Viollet-le-Duc’s 19th-century design. Clad in oak and lead, it features a scroll listing those who contributed to the restoration, as well as a memorial to St. Denis, St. It is crowned with a gilded rooster containing Genevieve’s relics and a fragment of the Crown of Thorns.

The tower also honors the late General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who oversaw the project until his death in 2023. His name is now engraved on the plinth.

There’s more to this restoration than meets the eye. Notre Dame now has unprecedented state-of-the-art fire prevention systems to protect against future disasters. Thermal cameras monitor the roof and a fine misting system designed to extinguish flames at their source is seamlessly integrated into the structure. Fire-resistant barriers prevent flames from spreading by dividing the roof into sections.

Reinforced water supply lines deliver 600 cubic meters (21,188 cubic feet) of water per hour, ensuring the cathedral is better protected than ever before.

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