The iconic Notre Dame is finally reopening its doors next month, five years after a massive fire destroyed the Paris landmark, but people have already began pointing out issues in the plan.
In April 2019, much of the world looked on in shock as the French monument went up in flames as the devastating blaze destroyed the spire and roof.
Notre Dame was ultimately closed, though French president Emmanuel Macron vowed that ‘we will rebuild the cathedral to be even more beautiful, and I want it to be completed within five years’.
Macron will see firsthand the renovated interiors of the iconic landmark on Friday (29 November), ahead of an opening for the public on 8 December.
And while it’s great news Notre Dame is opening its doors once more, there’s no doubt it looks a bit, well, like a building site from the outside.
That’s because scaffolding at the base of the spire will remain in place until sometime in 2025, while construction will take place at the monument’s east side for another three years, according to Philippe Jost, head honcho of the construction plans.
Notre Dame’s grand reopening prompts questions from locals
Around 140 million euros of unspent funds to reconstruct the Notre Dame remain, with locals and even outsiders questioning whether the reopening has been rushed.
Anne Leclerc, a 54-year-old lawyer, said: “It’s an eyesore. It feels like a half-finished project.”
Cranes and worker facilities remain on site, which leaves 65-year-old retired teacher Jean-Baptiste Lefèvre questioning why the reopening for Notre Dame is going ahead.
“What’s the point of such a big reopening when it’s not even finished?” he said. “It looks like a construction zone.”
Nonetheless, the reopening is going ahead next month, with officials estimating 40,000 visitors per day.
While there have been calls for Notre Dame to introduce a five euro entry fee, tourists can still pay the landmark a visit free of charge upon its reopening.
However, there are some differences to the systems in place back in 2019.
Visitors are still welcomed to show up on the day and stand in line to await entry, though there is an option to book online ahead of time.
Folks can register on the web prior to visiting and choose a preferred time of entry, with the process set to begin on the Notre Dame website shortly.
Because of the damage caused by the fire, previous visitors may notice the interior of the cathedral is a little different – though its renovation will provide the place of worship and reflection visitors would come to expect.
