Notre Dame's stunning restoration: Macron hails workers for achieving the "impossible"

French President Emmanuel Macron inspected the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral on Friday, praising workers for their extraordinary efforts to repair the damage caused by the devastating 2019 fire.

The inspection, broadcast live, provided the first glimpse inside the 850-year-old landmark ahead of its grand reopening on December 7.

"You have achieved what was thought impossible," Macron told the gathered workers and officials. Describing the fire as a "national wound," he lauded their dedication as the remedy, adding that the cathedral's reopening would bring a "shock of hope" to the nation.

The restoration marks the culmination of an ambitious project to return the cathedral to its former glory. Following the fire on April 19, 2019, Macron set a bold five-year timeline for its reconstruction, a goal deemed "insane" by many at the outset. However, the French leader expressed pride in the result, calling the cathedral's pale-colored stones "sublime" and praising the welcoming atmosphere of the restored space.

Macron toured key areas of the cathedral, including the nave, choir, and chapel, alongside Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich and other officials. The restoration involved 250 companies, hundreds of experts, and a workforce of over 2,000, with a total cost of nearly €700 million ($750 million). Donations totaling €846 million poured in from 150 countries, demonstrating global solidarity.

The restoration features an exact replica of the 19th-century Gothic spire, vibrant stained glass windows, and walls that have been meticulously cleaned of fire damage. The organ, a central feature of the cathedral, has also been fully restored and is ready to fill the space with music once again.

Additionally, an advanced fire prevention system has been installed. This discreet mechanism can release millions of water droplets in case of another disaster, ensuring the safety of the iconic structure.

Notre Dame will reopen to visitors and worshippers on December 7-8, with an estimated 14 to 15 million people expected to visit annually, surpassing its pre-fire figures of 12 million in 2017. A reopening ceremony will take place in the forecourt, as France’s strict secular policies prevent Macron from addressing the nation inside the cathedral.

The first mass will be held on December 8, including the consecration of the new altar. Pope Francis, who was invited to the reopening, will not attend but is scheduled to visit Corsica the following weekend.

While the restoration has been celebrated, the cause of the 2019 fire remains under investigation. Preliminary findings suggest an accidental origin, potentially linked to a short circuit, welding equipment, or a cigarette.