Notre-Dame Cathedral Reopens to the World: Macron's Televised Tour Highlights Renovations

In a televised tour, French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled the newly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral to the public, allowing viewers to witness its stunning transformation since a catastrophic fire five years ago. The tour showcased the cathedral's immaculate interior and completely rebuilt roof, with President Macron expressing awe alongside his wife, Brigitte, during their exploration of the iconic Gothic structure. Philippe Jost, head of the reconstruction task force, remarked, “You are seeing the cathedral like it has never been seen before.”

The extensive restoration project, which involved meticulously cleaning over 450,000 square feet of limestone, has revived the cathedral’s brilliant colors and intricate details hidden beneath layers of soot and grime. Macron's visit comes just a week before Notre-Dame's official reopening and serves as a strategic move to divert attention from ongoing political challenges and budget concerns in France. He was anticipated to address a gathering of the more than 2,000 dedicated workers and artisans who played a vital role in bringing the historic monument back to life.