On Friday morning, the bells of Notre Dame rang out across Paris for the first time since a devastating fire struck the historic cathedral over five years ago.
Eight restored bells from the northern belfry, which suffered damage during the tragic April 2019 blaze, chimed together for approximately five minutes, marking a poignant moment as preparations continue for the cathedral’s public reopening.
This emotional event follows five years of meticulous restoration and modernization efforts on the 850-year-old structure. Alexandre Gougeon, who oversaw the lengthy installation process, expressed to CNN how moving it was to hear the bells ring again.
He characterized this ringing—part of a technical test—as a significant achievement in a major project. It’s not perfect yet, but we will make it perfect, he stated to AFP. The restoration of this iconic monument involved over 250 companies and countless skilled workers after a fire raged for 15 hours, leading to the collapse of its main spire.
The disaster left Notre Dame severely damaged and is thought to have been triggered by either a cigarette or an electrical short circuit. French President Emmanuel Macron pledged immediately after the fire to restore Notre Dame within five years and enhance its beauty further.
Earlier this year, scaffolding around the medieval Catholic cathedral was taken down, revealing a newly designed spire topped with a golden rooster and cross symbolizing resilience and renewal. Additionally, efforts included installing an anti-fire misting system under its roof and recreating its original cross as part of the restoration work.