Photo Credit: Christophe Petit Tesson/ AP

After five years of intense restoration, the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris revealed its rejuvenated interiors on Friday, showcasing its soaring ceilings and pristine stonework, a stark contrast to the devastation caused by the 2019 fire.

French President Emmanuel Macron toured the restored cathedral, offering a first glimpse of the medieval masterpiece ahead of its public reopening on December 8. Bright sunlight illuminated the cathedral’s vibrant stained-glass windows, casting vivid colors across the newly cleaned limestone walls, which gleamed as if untouched by time.

Macron’s visit marked the beginning of a series of reopening events. He will deliver an address on December 7, followed by a solemn Mass the next day to consecrate the new altar. The restoration has been hailed by Macron’s administration as a testament to French resilience and unity.

Outside, scaffolding and cranes remain, signaling ongoing work. Inside, however, the transformation is breathtaking. Gone are the gaping holes in the vaulted ceilings, replaced with meticulously reconstructed stonework. Intricate golden angels now adorn the transept ceiling, restored to their former glory.The reconstruction combined traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. Toxic dust from melted lead roofs was removed using industrial vacuum cleaners. Surfaces were cleaned with fine layers of latex and specialized gels, revealing bright colors and intricate details obscured by centuries of grime.

Carpenters employed medieval techniques to craft giant oak beams for the roof and spire, which collapsed during the fire. Approximately 2,000 oak trees were felled to rebuild the intricate roof framework, known as “the forest.”

Before its closure due to the fire, Notre Dame attracted millions of visitors annually. The unveiling of its renewed interior marks a triumphant return as a symbol of faith, history, and art. Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte and Paris’ archbishop, expressed awe as he walked through the monumental doors, gazing at the reconstructed ceilings and vibrant stained-glass windows.

As one of France’s most cherished landmarks, Notre Dame’s reopening is not only a restoration of a historic structure but also a rekindling of national pride and global admiration for the Gothic masterpiece.