Deadlines will be met for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris

“We are meeting deadlines and budget,” declared Mr. Jost, questioned about the results of this “extraordinary project” by the Senate Culture Committee. It came two weeks before the fifth anniversary of the fire, April 15, 2019.

Retracing the stages of this reconstruction, Mr. Jost praised the work of “250 companies” and “art professions” at work on the site, including the actual reconstruction work which began in spring 2022 after a phase to clear the rubble and secure the building, at a cost of “150 million euros”.

Mr. Jost, who succeeded General Jean-Louis Georgelin who died suddenly last summer, estimated that, "in this final demanding straight line", the reconstruction budget should remain, barring unforeseen circumstances, "below 550 million euros fixed.

There will then remain "around 150 million euros" of the 846 million collected by the national subscription, which will be "reallocated to urgent restorations of the exteriors" of the cathedral, the reopening of which is scheduled for December 8.

The facades of Notre-Dame are notably damaged by stone pathologies, prior to the fire.

These restorations will be managed by the public establishment from 2025, he specified.

Sustainability

“Piece of bravery” and probably the most visible result of this “wound closed in mid-March”, in his words, the spire, which had pierced the nave while collapsing in the flames, was reconstructed identically and points again in the sky of Paris as the scaffolding surrounding it is removed.

The installation of the lead roof continues on its solid oak frame and its decorative elements also gradually find their location.

The frames of the cathedral which had burned were also rebuilt in solid oak, “with doweled wood without any bolts”, underlined Mr. Jost.

“We are restoring for at least 860 years, using the operating methods (medieval artisanal know-how, editor’s note) and the original materials,” he said, evoking a “bias which is not only aesthetic, but of durability and longevity".

Concerning fire protection, in addition to the installation of a misting system which is triggered automatically in the event of a fire, Mr. Jost announced the "compartmentalization of the frames in order to prevent the fire from spreading quickly" and “the assurance of access to 600 m3 of water per hour for firefighters”.

On the health side, a “rainwater filtration system” which runs off causing the dispersion of around “10 kg of lead per year” will be tested in 2025, he also announced.

Finally, in terms of public reception, Notre-Dame will be able to welcome a “maximum of 12 to 15 million visitors per year” compared to 12 million on average before the fire. Traffic conditions remain "a question of gauge and accessibility", he said.