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In a poignant visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral, President Emmanuel Macron commemorated the one-year countdown to its scheduled reopening.
According to a report on Sky News, closed to the public since the destructive 2019 blaze, the Parisian landmark has undergone extensive rebuilding and restoration efforts.
Frequent visits by Mr. Macron have served to underscore the noteworthy progress achieved in the reconstruction. During his sixth visit since the fire, striking images captured massive oak beams being lifted skyward as part of the cathedral's re-roofing process.
Accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron, the presidential couple ascended the spire, currently undergoing reconstruction based on the original design by 19th-century French architect Viollet-le-Duc.
The 96-meter spire, meticulously rebuilt using centuries-old wood from a former royal forest, is set to be adorned with a cross and rooster, reinstating a poignant symbol of French heritage.
Exterior photographs reveal the imminent unveiling of the cross, showcasing the remarkable progress achieved in the cathedral's restoration. Reflecting on the journey, President Macron shared with reporters, "Since April 2019, the entire nation has been rebuilding.
It's very moving to be here a year before, witnessing the extraordinary progress in the nave, the choir, and the spire."
In a heartfelt tribute, Macron acknowledged the late General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who played a crucial role in overseeing Notre-Dame's reconstruction before his passing in August.
The French president actively participated as General Georgelin's name was engraved in the spire's wood, honoring his significant contribution to the cathedral's restoration.
[With information sourced from Sky News]
