After Over a Year Since the Fire... Paris Notre-Dame Cathedral Square in France Reopens

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, reopened to the public on the 31st of last month (local time), more than a year after the massive fire on April 15th last year.

According to AFP and other sources, the Notre-Dame Cathedral authorities removed the tall iron barriers surrounding the square and opened it to visitors on that day. The square had been closed since the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral on April 15th last year. At that time, about 300 tons of lead used in the cathedral’s roof and framework melted, raising concerns about lead poisoning among citizens, leading to multiple cleaning operations.

Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, wearing a mask, visited the site along with the cathedral’s chief priest Patrick Chauvet, celebrating the reopening by saying that the cathedral has essentially been 'resurrected' today. She also introduced Notre-Dame as "the soul of Paris and a place that never fails to inspire you."

However, protective barriers around the front of the cathedral and the arched entrance still remain. With the recent lifting of lockdowns due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), restoration work, which had been halted, is expected to take longer than initially anticipated. Although entry into the cathedral is not allowed, the public can now view the cathedral from the square.

AFP reported that the cathedral is expected to remain closed at least until 2024. The actual restoration work is likely to begin next year, after the removal of melted and tangled metal scaffolding and the completion of various tasks such as installing a temporary roof, AFP explained.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.