For the first time since a devastating fire in 2019, Notre Dame Cathedral’s eight bells tolled simultaneously on Friday. The bells, housed in the northern belfry, fell silent after the fire destroyed the iconic landmark.
An extensive five-year effort has brought the cathedral closer to its former glory. Fire damage to the north belfry required extensive restoration, including removal, cleaning and reinstallation of the bell.
The bells rang individually before harmonizing for about five minutes, marking a milestone moment ahead of the cathedral’s reopening scheduled for next month. “This is a beautiful, important and symbolic step,” said Philip Jost, who oversaw the restoration project.
The bell rang for about five minutes before joining in on the harmony. This test run precedes the official reopening ceremony planned for December 7 and 8.
Alexandre Gauguin, responsible for restoring the bell, admitted: “It’s not perfect yet, but we’ll make it perfect.” He confirmed to AFP that the initial test was successful.
The cathedral’s vice rector, Guillaume Normand, expressed deep emotion upon hearing the chorus of bells, noting: “It is November 8 and Notre Dame is saying to us: ‘I am here, waiting for you’.”
The bells vary considerably in weight, from the “Gabriel” of over four tons to the “Jean-Marie” of 800 kilograms.
The cathedral’s reopening celebrations are scheduled for December 7 and 8. While specific program details remain unreleased, Jost informed RTL that it will feature “the best international artists”.
Reports suggest that Paul McCartney, whose Paris concerts are scheduled for December 4 and 5, may attend the reopening celebrations.
After reopening, Notre Dame expects 14 to 15 million annual visitors, up from 12 million in 2017.
A devastating fire in April 2019 shocked Parisians and global audiences as the UNESCO heritage site was engulfed in flames, resulting in the collapse of its iconic spire.
President Emmanuel Macron established a five-year timeline for the reconstruction, which aims to restore the cathedral to its former glory.