Call for "all the know-how" of SMEs and VSEs for the restoration of Notre-Dame

The restoration of Notre-Dame, partially destroyed in a fire in 2019, will begin this winter and requires "all the know-how" of craftsmen, companies, SMEs and very small businesses, called on Friday to apply for the call for tenders by the public institution in charge of it.

"Businesses, SMEs, very small businesses, craftsmen, take part in the restoration of the cathedral!", Launches in a press release General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who chairs the establishment responsible for the conservation and restoration of the cathedral.

This call is addressed, he adds, "to craftsmen and companies with expertise in historical monuments" so that they mobilize and apply "to join the community of builders" who are working "for the reopening of the cathedral. worship and visitation in 2024, in accordance with the objective set by the President of the Republic ".

Wooden framework, lead roofing, complex scaffolding, size of freestone and masonry, carpentry, painting, gilding, artistic ironwork, stained glass and sculpture specialists ... after the phase of securing the building, completed officially in September, companies have until November 16 to respond to calls for applications relating to the restoration of the spire and transepts and until November 22 for those open for interior restorations.

In order to "bring together the best skills" and allow access to the restoration site "to the greatest number of companies, including SMEs, VSEs and craftsmen in heritage trades", the public establishment has set up a "allotment allowing as far as possible companies of all sizes to respond, alone or in groups, to the various calls for tenders and calls for candidates".

The cost of the security work amounts to 165 million euros. In particular, they made it possible to dismantle the scaffolding that was in place during the fire, the removal of the large organs, cleaning test sites in two chapels, the installation of wooden hangers under the flying buttresses or the clearing and sorting of remains and securing of the transept crossing.

"The budget for the restoration phase will be specified at the end of the allocation of all the lots for the restoration site," the public establishment told AFP on Friday.