The sky above Paris: The Notre-Dame towers reopen

The sky above Paris: on the occasion of the 42nd European Heritage Days, the towers of Notre-Dame de Paris reopen to the public today, offering spectacular new views of the French capital and its iconic cathedral.

The tour of the towers, inaugurated today by President Emmanuel Macron, marks the definitive reopening of all spaces within the Grande Dame of Paris, following the devastating fire of April 15, 2019. The reopening of Notre-Dame has sparked great excitement, with over eight million visitors since last December, making it the most visited monument in France. "The reopening of the towers of Notre-Dame de Paris and the inauguration of the new tour are a powerful, deeply moving moment, and a source of great joy," says Marie Lavandier, president of the Centre des Monuments Nationaux (CMN), which oversaw the new tour between earth and sky. "This new tour magnificently highlights sites and viewpoints of great beauty that admirably complement the interior space of the cathedral," which reopened on December 7-8, echoes Philippe Jost, president of the organization 'Rebatir Notre-Dame de Paris'. The tour offers a unique experience in the normally most inaccessible and dizzying parts of Notre-Dame. Climbing the towers, amidst chimeras and gargoyles, is also somewhat of a "sporty" experience, and good physical condition is required to access it. It is not recommended for people with heart problems, those who suffer from vertigo, pregnant women, or the very young. The tour, without an elevator, water points, or restrooms, involves 424 steps, as well as particularly narrow passages (45 cm). The approximately 50-minute "journey" to one of Europe's most iconic sites begins at the base of the South Tower, where a very steep spiral staircase leads to a first large room halfway up. It's a chance to catch your breath and familiarize yourself with the history of Notre-Dame, summarized in an informative model: from the first stone laid in 1163 to the present day. Also on display in this large medieval room, open to the public for the first time, are two original chimeras saved from the fire six years ago. The ascent then allows access to the new "double revolution" staircase (178 steps), designed by architect Philippe Villeneuve to improve visitor flow. A marvel of engineering, the solid wood staircase easily leads to the terrace of the south tower, offering an exceptional view of the spire of Notre-Dame and the entire center of Paris unfolding before you between earth and sky. A breathtaking 360-degree panorama, from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to the Dome of the Panthéon, from the Île-Saint-Louis to the Eiffel Tower. But in the French capital, twinned with Rome, there is no end to the enchantment. After the terrace, at an altitude of almost 70 meters, visitors head back inside for a close encounter with two gigantic bells—the so-called "bourdons"—Emmanuel (13.3 tons, saved from being melted down during the French Revolution) and Marie (6.2 tons). From here, through a large balcony overlooking the cathedral's forecourt, visitors can glimpse the famous "forest," Notre-Dame's legendary wooden roof, expertly reconstructed during five years of restoration. The end of the tour, once inside the North Tower, is accompanied by a sound creation by composer Valérie Vivancos, whose aim is to "soften" the descent, "preparing the visitor's return to the city," the organizers explain. In France, the reopening of the Notre-Dame towers has been long-anticipated. Due to high demand, reservations are only possible online. Further information is available on the website https://www.tours-notre-dame-de-paris.fr/.