PARIS (AP) 鈥� Five years after a reduced Notre Dame Cathedral to a smoldering shell, journalists got a first glimpse of the Gothic masterpiece's fully restored interiors during a visit with French President Emmanuel Macron. The is nothing short of breathtaking: light dances across brilliant stone, gilded accents gleam anew, and the iconic monument's majesty is reborn. From Dec. 8, visitors will once again marvel at the cathedral鈥檚 blend of history and craftsmanship.
Here鈥檚 a reporter鈥檚-eye view:
Nave: brilliant stone
The nave, once darkened by soot and rubble, now radiates a celestial brilliance. Visitors can see the true color of the cathedral鈥檚 walls: a pale Lutetian limestone 鈥� named after the Roman word for Paris, Lutecia 鈥� that glows under sunlight streaming through . The newfound blond hues highlight the soaring Gothic columns and ribbed vaults, creating a bright and uplifting atmosphere. Restorers say it's the first time in centuries the true stone has been exposed in this way.
The polished checkerboard marble floor, glistening underfoot, is so smooth it seems you could glide across it 鈥� communicating with the gilded, golden grille partition of the choir area.
Overhead, incandescent chandeliers hang majestically from each vaulted arch, stretching from west to east, casting a warm, golden light throughout the nave.
The meticulous restoration process involved cleaning over 42,000 square meters of stone 鈥� an area equivalent to roughly six soccer fields 鈥� using innovative latex peels to strip away centuries of grime without causing damage. Conservators uncovered mason marks etched by medieval builders 鈥� intimate traces of the artisans who shaped Notre Dame in the 12th and 13th centuries.
This gleaming transformation is a stark contrast to the wreckage of 2019, when the nave was strewn with charred debris.
Altar: blaze fused into Christ's hand
The altar in the cathedral鈥檚 chancel carries a poignant symbol of the fire鈥檚 devastation. Nicolas Coustou鈥檚 Piet脿, part of the V艙u de Louis XIII ensemble, survived largely unscathed, but molten lead from the blaze fused into the hand of Christ. Restorers chose to preserve this as a subtle, yet powerful, reminder of the tragedy.
Surrounding the altar, the intricate marquetry floor, long hidden under layers of dirt, has been pieced together from fragments recovered after the fire.
Nearby, the polished Cross of Glory, which famously 鈥� literally 鈥� glowed amid the flames, now stands restored to its full brilliance. Framed by the radiant blonde stonework of the nave, the cross serves as a centerpiece of the cathedral鈥檚 rebirth.
Organ: A complex revival
The grand organ, among the largest and most storied in France, has undergone an intricate revival. Spared from the flames but coated in lead dust, its 8,000 pipes, ranging in size from that of a pen to over 10 meters (33 feet) tall, were painstakingly . Over two years, this work was performed with precision in the cathedral鈥檚 silent, cavernous interior, where harmonization was achieved entirely by ear.
Now, the organ鈥檚 grandeur is unmistakable. Its towering wooden case, marked with carvings left by past craftsmen, gleams under sunlight streaming through restored clerestory windows. Even in silence, it commands awe.
Chapels: murals rediscovered
The 29 chapels circling the nave and choir burst with color and detail previously dulled by dirt and neglect. Restorers revealed intricate murals, gilded stars on ceilings, and vibrant motifs originally created under Eug猫ne Viollet-le-Duc鈥檚 direction. Each chapel tells a unique story through its designs and themes.
The Chapel of Saint Marcel stands out as a masterpiece, its mural of the saint鈥檚 relics vividly restored. Visitors are captivated by its radiant colors, producing an effect likened to the Sistine Chapel in Rome 鈥� a visual firework display. In other chapels, traces of 19th-century painters鈥� color tests, hidden in nooks, provide glimpses into their artistic process.
Transept crossing: rebuilding under pressure
The transept crossing, where the original spire collapsed, presented one of the restoration鈥檚 most formidable challenges. Above, soaring new vaults of Lutetian limestone replicate the medieval originals with remarkable precision.
Beneath the crossing, archaeologists uncovered a trove of history: fragments of Notre Dame鈥檚 medieval jub茅, or choir screen, buried in the rubble. These intricately carved stones, some still bearing faint traces of polychrome paint, provide a rare glimpse into the cathedral鈥檚 vibrant 13th-century decorative history.
Roof, spire and safety measures
The newly restored roof draw gazes skyward, where have been faithfully recreated. Known as 鈥渢he forest,鈥� the remains hidden beneath the roofline, but glimpses into the rafters reveal the precision of both ancient and modern craftsmanship.
Outside, the rises 96 meters, faithfully replicating Viollet-le-Duc鈥檚 19th-century design. Clad in oak and lead, it stands containing relics of St. Denis, St. Genevieve, and a fragment of the Crown of Thorns, alongside a scroll listing contributors to the restoration.
The spire also honors the late General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who oversaw the project until his . His name is now etched at its base.
There鈥檚 more than meets the eye in this restoration. Notre Dame now features unseen state-of-the-art fire prevention systems to guard 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. Fireproof barriers divide the roof into compartments, preventing flames from spreading.
Reinforced water supply lines can 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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Thomas Adamson, The Associated Press
