The five-year journey of restoring Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris – an iconic medieval monument immortalized in history, film, and literature – has been gradually restored over the past five years, overcoming challenges such as delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the death of the project's leader.

The 5-year journey of restoring Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (Image 1) — Scaffolding around the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris will be removed between January 24, 2024 and March 6, 2024. Photo: AP

The restoration is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Here are the events during the restoration process:

April 2019

A devastating fire that destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral, collapsing the roof and spire and ruining the interior, sparked a wave of global solidarity with the French people. French President Emmanuel Macron launched an effort to restore the cathedral's grandeur, vowing to complete it within five years.

June 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic delayed the church's renovation work. However, the removal of the charred scaffolding surrounding the spire amidst previous restoration efforts still marks an important step.

August 2020

France has begun restoring the pipe organ that once resonated throughout the cathedral – the largest musical instrument in France. The 8,000-pipe organ was not burned in the fire, but it is covered in a layer of toxic lead dust. Workers have begun dismantling and cleaning the organ so that experts can restore it this year.

March 2021

France has cut down the first of 1,000 oak trees planned for the reconstruction of the cathedral's spire. This 230-year-old oak was selected from the Bercé forest in the Loire region of France.

The 5-year journey of restoring Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (image 2) — The spire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after scaffolding was removed, March 14, 2024. Photo: AP

September 2021

The structural work was completed after carpenters, scaffolding specialists, and others helped build temporary structures and create a giant, special "umbrella" to protect the towers, domes, and walls of the roofless building.

Spring 2022

Master glassmakers and locksmiths from across France began the process of cleaning and restoring the cathedral's famous stained-glass windows.

July 2023

Giant oak scaffolding was hoisted up Notre Dame Cathedral, drawing Parisians to witness what has been described as a magical moment, coinciding with preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

August 2023

France mourns the sudden passing of General Jean-Louis Georgelin, former Chief of Staff of the French Army, who was appointed to oversee the restoration of the cathedral. President Macron praised him as "the greatest soldier" dedicated to restoring every stone of Notre Dame Cathedral.

December 2023

The golden rooster was returned to the spire of the building, marking the rebirth of Notre Dame Cathedral. With its phoenix-like "wings of fire," the rooster symbolizes rebirth from the ashes. Furthermore, the statue contains religious relics, including a portion of the Crown of Thorns.

The 5-year journey of restoring Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (image 3) — The cross and rooster atop Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, March 14, 2024. Photo: AP

February 2024

Scaffolding was removed to reveal the church's new spire with a golden rooster and a cross, offering a glimpse into the future as the church prepares to reopen.

Hoai Phuong (according to AP)

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