Notre-Dame de Paris: Six Years After the Fire, the Rebirth of a Masterpiece of Humanity

By Pascal JACOB

Founder and Honorary President of Restaurons Notre-Dame (rND)

Paris, April 15, 2025

Introduction – The Project of a Generation, the Face of a Nation

On April 15, 2019, in the early evening, a fire ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The world watched in shock as the spire designed by Viollet-le-Duc collapsed, the medieval timber framework was destroyed, and the stone vaults of this Gothic masterpiece were threatened. It was a profound shock, a collective tragedy, a physical and symbolic collapse.

The next day, the President of the Republic announced his intention to rebuild the cathedral "even more beautiful," within five years. Many thought this goal was impossible. Six years later, the monument has been restored, reopened, and shines once again. This fulfilled promise is more than a technical feat: it is the result of collective commitment, rare expertise, and a testament to French excellence.

This article offers a journey through ten chapters into a unique global project. It traces the major milestones, foundational decisions, technical achievements, human endeavors, scientific contributions, and the central role played by civil society in this adventure. It presents a multifaceted narrative involving architects, workers, students, researchers, foresters, volunteers, elected officials, patrons, and educators.

Through this account, we also explore the meaning of heritage in our time: what does it mean to transmit a 13th-century building into the 21st century? What does a faithful restoration teach us about our relationship to history, knowledge, craftsmanship, forests, manual labor, and France itself?

This text unfolds in ten chapters, each highlighting a different aspect of this foundational endeavor:

I. A Universal Icon, Wounded at the Heart of Humanity

II. A Promise Kept Through Exceptional Organization

III. A Faithful Restoration, Guided by the Charters of Venice and Nara

IV. Demanding Conservation Before Any Reconstruction

V. A Historic Reconstruction Rooted in French Forests

VI. Viollet-le-Duc’s Spire: A Neo-Gothic Masterpiece Reborn

VII. An Unprecedented Human, Scientific, and Financial Mobilization

VIII. Notre-Dame, Symbol of Eternal France

IX. The Commitment of Restaurons Notre-Dame (rND): A Grassroots Initiative in Service of the Common Good

X. A Work of Transmission: Legacy and Future

More than a monument, Notre-Dame is a lesson. A cathedral of stone and meaning. A restored masterpiece and a momentum to sustain.

Notre-Dame de Paris, Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Photo: Pascal JACOB

Chapter I – A Universal Icon, Wounded at the Heart of Humanity

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is more than a Gothic masterpiece from the 13th century. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it embodies, in the collective imagination, the very essence of European and Christian history. Since its foundation stone was laid in 1163, it has witnessed the unfolding of monarchies, revolutions, religious renaissances, wars, and periods of peace.

The fire on April 15, 2019, did not only destroy part of its structure—it sent a shockwave across the globe. Within hours, millions of people felt a deeply personal sense of loss: a rupture in their connection to history, beauty, and the sacred. The entire world watched as Viollet-le-Duc’s spire collapsed, flames engulfed the stone vaults, and the millennia-old timber roof burned to ashes.

This tragedy had an anthropological dimension. It revealed the depth of our collective attachment to heritage as a foundation of memory. In this sense, it became a powerful catalyst: never before had a heritage restoration project united such broad consensus, nor triggered such a massive mobilization of funds (nearly €850 million in donations), people, and institutions.

Yet Notre-Dame is not merely a witness to the past. It is an active participant in the present. Its restoration is not only an act of conservation it is a response to a world in search of meaning and continuity. A wounded cathedral, healed by thousands of hands, has become a symbol of renewed hope. This extraordinary feat of collective intelligence and craftsmanship lies at the heart of the story that follows.

Chapter II – A Promise Kept Through Exceptional Organization

Barely 24 hours after the fire, French President Emmanuel Macron publicly announced that Notre-Dame would be rebuilt “even more beautiful,” and within five years. A strong and ambitious statement—one that many deemed unrealistic, especially given the complexity of the monument.

To make this possible, the French government created a dedicated structure: the public agency Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris, established in the summer of 2019 and equipped with the legal, human, and financial means required for an extraordinary undertaking. Its governance, initially led by General Jean-Louis Georgelin, was built on a streamlined, reactive, and transparent chain of command, breaking from the usual administrative procedures.

This approach enabled high-level project management. General Georgelin, with his authority and sense of mission, set a clear course—demanding, uncompromising, yet inclusive. After his untimely passing in 2023, he was succeeded by Philippe Jost, a senior engineer and public servant who combined strategic vision, a deep sense of public service, and a solid cultural background.

Architectural oversight was entrusted to a trio of Chief Architects for Historic Monuments: Philippe Villeneuve (responsible for the monument), Pascal Prunet (in charge of the surrounding structures and stone elements), and Rémi Fromont (focused on the timber framing and the spire). Fromont had already, in 2014, conducted a complete hand-drawn survey of the original timber roof structure—a foundational act for the future reconstruction.

The project’s management structure was reinforced by technical working groups, an independent scientific committee, and a dedicated communications team to match the symbolic scope of the undertaking. It also maintained a close and pragmatic partnership with the artisans and contractors, selected according to the highest standards.

This high-performance governance model, combining public leadership, artisanal mastery, scientific insight, and construction expertise, will remain a reference. It demonstrates that when France unites around a clear and shared goal, it can achieve greatness through both excellence and efficiency.

Chapter III – A Faithful Restoration, Guided by the Charters of Venice and Nara

In the days following the fire, a profound debate quickly emerged: should Notre-Dame be rebuilt “identically,” or should the catastrophe be seen as an opportunity for reinterpretation? Should Viollet-le-Duc’s spire be reconstructed, or replaced with a contemporary creation—as proposed by several prominent architects? Should original materials be reused, or replaced with so-called “modern” alternatives?

This debate, widely covered in the media, revealed a deeper tension in our relationship with heritage: on one side, a creative, often technocentric or symbolic vision; on the other, a vision rooted in continuity, fidelity, and respect for legacy. The choice made by the President of the Republic, backed by the National Heritage and Architecture Commission (CNPA), was unequivocal: the cathedral would be restored identically, to its state on the evening of April 14, 2019.

This decision aligns with two foundational international charters:

The Venice Charter (1964), which asserts that any intervention must respect the historical, architectural, and material authenticity of a monument;
The Nara Document on Authenticity (1994), which highlights the cultural and contextual diversity of heritage and the central role of authenticity.

Rebuilding Notre-Dame identically was not a fallback choice. It was a deliberate, documented, and enlightened act, rooted in respect for the collective work that the cathedral represents. It meant using the same materials (oak, lead), the same traditional techniques (hand-hewing, mortise and tenon joints), and the same construction logic.

Fidelity also extended to the spirit of the building—its verticality, its structural balance, and its sacred function. This was not about freezing the past, but bringing it back to life, using today’s tools to restore the vision of its original builders.

This choice also made it possible to unleash an extraordinary educational and artisanal mobilization: by rebuilding as it once was, the project reaffirmed that restoration is also a matter of generational continuity—a handshake across time between the craftsmen of the 13th century and those of the 21st.

Chapter IV – Demanding Conservation Before Any Reconstruction

Before anyone could think of rebuilding the timber structure or the spire, the cathedral had to be secured, stabilized, and protected. This critical phase, largely invisible to the public eye, took place between 2019 and 2021 under extremely delicate conditions—both technically and humanly.

The objective of this initial conservation phase was twofold:

First, to prevent a second disaster (collapse, water damage, further degradation);
Second, to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the monument’s condition in order to define the most appropriate restoration strategy.

Among the most remarkable operations:

The dismantling of the previous scaffolding, which had melted and buckled above the transept crossing during the fire. This structure, weighing several hundred tons, was meticulously removed piece by piece by expert rope-access technicians;
The installation of laminated timber shoring arches under the vaults of the nave, choir, and transept, some of which had been pierced by falling debris;
The systematic vacuuming and dust removal of all interior surfaces—walls, pillars, sculptures, and floors—to eliminate soot and lead particles from the burnt roof;
The desalination of the stone, using fine misting techniques to extract harmful salts from water and smoke exposure, which could otherwise cause long-term deterioration.

Another impressive feat was the complete disassembly of the Grand Organ, a monumental instrument with 8,000 pipes spread across five keyboards. Each pipe was numbered, cleaned, restored, and stored for future reassembly—without using any corrosive liquid treatment, but instead relying solely on manual and dry methods.

In parallel, a pilot restoration site was launched in the Chapel of Saint-Ferdinand. There, specialists tested and validated the cleaning protocols and conservation techniques to be applied throughout the building—ensuring consistency and respect for the original materials.

All the debris collected after the fire was meticulously sorted, cataloged, and analyzed by the Laboratory for Research on Historic Monuments (LRMH). Charred timbers, nails, sculpture fragments, and broken vault stones were treated as archaeological materials: not just remnants of destruction, but valuable witnesses for study and memory.

This phase of conservation was not a mere prelude—it was a prerequisite for success. It reinforced a fundamental truth: before restoring a monument, one must first understand it.

Chapter V – A Historic Reconstruction Rooted in French Forests

To rebuild the timber framework and spire of Notre-Dame identically, it was essential to recover the cathedral’s primary material: oak. But not just any oak. It required tall, straight trees, over 150 years old, with dense, regular grain—capable of yielding massive beams with the same dimensions and strength as those used eight centuries earlier.

This logistical, cultural, and symbolic challenge was met brilliantly thanks to the mobilization of the entire French forest-wood sector. Under the coordination of the National Forestry Office (ONF), and with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and regional cultural agencies (DRACs), 67 public and private forests contributed over 1,000 monumental oaks, each carefully selected for the project.

Some of these forests are legendary: Tronçais, Bercé, Bertranges, Compiègne, and Guérigny are known for their regular high forest management, a sustainable silvicultural model initiated under Colbert in the 17th century. These trees were chosen not for their rarity, but for their structural qualities—tailored to the cathedral’s traditional construction techniques.

The felling of these trees followed a precise ecological calendar: they were harvested in winter 2021, to avoid rising sap, and milled into large planks in local sawmills. Each log was labeled, documented, photographed, and assigned to a specific structural element of the reconstruction.

It is important to distinguish two major technical approaches:

The medieval timber frameworks of the nave, choir, and apse were rebuilt using green oak hewn by hand with adzes and axes—tools specially forged by traditional toolmakers for this project. This technique restored the irregular faces, contours, and joinery marks characteristic of 13th-century craftsmanship.
In contrast, the 19th-century spire of Viollet-le-Duc was reconstructed using machine-sawn oak, reflecting the more modern techniques of the time, which remain in use today. Its structure, with delicate openwork and refined profiles, required a more precise, rationalized fabrication.

The carpenters worked using full-scale layouts drawn on workshop floors, following the rules of trait de charpente(lofting and layout techniques). This geometric discipline, combining spatial projection, drawing, and traditional joinery, was inscribed in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2009.

This dual approach—medieval fidelity for the original frameworks and 19th-century logic for the spire—testifies to the historical precision and architectural intelligence of the project. It is both an act of respect and a powerful demonstration of our modern ability to honor the techniques and intentions of each historical period.

Chapter VI – Viollet-le-Duc’s Spire: A Neo-Gothic Masterpiece Reborn

Among the most haunting images from April 15, 2019, none struck the world more than that of the collapsing spire, engulfed in flames. Though relatively “recent” in the life of the cathedral, this spire had become, over time, one of Notre-Dame’s most recognizable features.

Constructed between 1858 and 1859 to designs by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, the neo-Gothic spire rose to 96 meters above the ground. Made entirely of oak and clad in lead, it rested on an octagonal base and was inspired by the soaring forms of Gothic spires in cities like Orléans and Amiens. Its refined silhouette and central position at the crossing made it a symbol of verticality, spiritual elevation, and national unity.

Reconstructing this spire was not merely a question of shape—it was a matter of faithfulness to the vision of a visionary restorer. In his time, Viollet-le-Duc had brilliantly continued the spirit of the Middle Ages using the tools of the 19th century. It was now up to our century to do the same: to restore his work faithfully, using today’s tools and knowledge without betraying his logic or creative intent.

The reconstruction was entrusted to the group Le Bras Frères – Asselin – Cruard – MDB. The spire was prefabricated in workshops and assembled on-site following:

A detailed study of original plans and historical documentation;
A complete 3D digital model of the structure;
A 1:1 full-scale layout of each section;
A trial assembly of all parts before the actual erection on site.

Unlike the hand-hewn medieval timber, the oak for the spire was cut using modern mechanical saws, in keeping with 19th-century techniques still practiced today. The carpenters reproduced every architectural element: brackets, openwork arches, lanterns, louvers, and gables, with extraordinary precision and care.

The spire’s lead covering, entrusted to master roofers and plumbers, faithfully restored its original glint and patina. The statues of the apostles and evangelists, which had been removed for restoration just days before the fire (thus escaping destruction), will return to their place around the octagonal base.

Finally, in December 2024, the cross was reinstalled at the summit, preceded by the rooster-shaped weather vane, now restored and containing a new contemporary relic. This moment marked the crowning of the restoration project, surrounded by deep emotion.

Rebuilt according to its original dimensions, materials, and spirit, Viollet-le-Duc’s spire once again graces the Paris skyline—a fulfilled promise, a reborn masterpiece, and a silent tribute to all those who made its return possible.

Chapter VII – An Unprecedented Human, Scientific, and Financial Mobilization

The restoration of Notre-Dame was not just carried out in workshops, on scaffolds, or behind engineering desks. It was made possible by an extraordinary collective mobilization, bringing together hundreds of crafts, skills, scientific disciplines, and global support.

At the heart of the project were artisans and compagnons (master craftsmen), who formed its living core. Over 2,000 professionals were involved, representing nearly 20 heritage trades: carpenters, stonecutters, roofers, leadworkers, sculptors, stained glass artists, bellmakers, blacksmiths, scaffolders, joiners, painters, and art restorers. Many were Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, or master compagnons, committed to transmitting their knowledge to a younger generation.

This restoration became a training ground for a new generation of artisans, working in real conditions under the mentorship of the most experienced professionals. It wasn’t just a site—it was a living school of heritage excellence.

Scientifically, the project gave rise to unprecedented collaboration between:

Leading research institutions like CNRS, the LRMH (Historical Monuments Research Laboratory), INSA, Arts et Métiers, the CEA, and MAP;
Schools of architecture and engineering across France and Europe;
Multidisciplinary university programs such as the Notre-Dame Master's program, allowing students to engage directly with real-world restoration challenges: structural simulation, carbon impact studies, material behavior analysis, and more.

This applied research benefited from open access to technical data from the site, transforming the restoration into a full-scale laboratory for heritage sciences.

On the financial side, public support matched the scale of the emotional response. In just a few months, nearly €850 million in donations were raised:

Four main patrons—LVMH, L’Oréal, Total, and the Pinault family—contributed over €500 million;
More than 340,000 donors, individuals and companies, from over 150 countries also gave.

This overwhelming generosity ensured that the project would be entirely funded by private donations, with transparent management and public accountability ensured by the government’s dedicated agency.

Finally, this massive mobilization gave rise to a rare sense of national and international unity. This project brought together trades, generations, and regions—from forest to cathedral, from vocational schools to university labs—reminding us that when a nation builds together, it also heals and reaffirms its identity.

Chapter VIII – Notre-Dame, Symbol of Eternal France

On December 8, 2024, Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened its doors to worship and to the public. Less than six years after the fire, the monument was restored, reopened, and once again alive. But this reopening did not mark the end of a project—it marked the return of a symbol: a living witness of unity, resilience, and beauty.

Notre-Dame is more than a building. It is the soul of Paris, the memory of France, and a beacon to the world. It transcends centuries without ever losing its evocative power. It unites believers and non-believers alike—art lovers, heritage advocates, ordinary citizens, children, and visitors from around the globe. It is, in this sense, a meeting point between past and present, between the intimate and the universal.

The story of its five-year restoration is a resounding answer to contemporary doubt: in the face of climate urgency, cultural fragmentation, and a loss of reference points, the reconstruction of Notre-Dame shows that it is still possible to unite a country around a shared, demanding, and deeply rooted project.

Notre-Dame restored is not a return to the past—it is a projection into the future anchored in rediscovered memory. It teaches us that beauty is a vital need, that collective effort matters, and that tradition can be a source of innovation.

It is also a cathedral that breathes again: the bells ring out, liturgies are celebrated, light filters through the stained-glass windows, and voices once again rise beneath the newly restored vaults. The building resumes its original mission: to connect earth and heaven, humanity and mystery, stone and hope.

Notre-Dame is now ready to welcome millions of visitors, like pilgrims of a world in search of meaning, memory, and wonder. It does not belong to us—we belong to it. And in rebuilding it, we have also rebuilt a part of ourselves.

Chapter IX – The Commitment of Restaurons Notre-Dame (rND): A Grassroots Initiative in Service of the Common Good

At the heart of the monumental restoration of Notre-Dame, one key player has stood out through its independence and consistency: the association Restaurons Notre-Dame (rND). From the very first hours following the fire of April 15, 2019, it mobilized to ensure that the reconstruction would be carried out in the spirit of the monument, using original materials and traditional craftsmanship.

As a legitimate voice of civil society, rND has continuously advocated for a faithful restoration, firmly opposing speculative reinterpretations of the spire, short-term technical shortcuts, and opportunistic architectural experiments. Instead, it has called for historical accuracy, structural integrity, and cultural continuity, supported by facts, tradition, and meaning.

But rND has gone well beyond advocacy. It has carried out a deep and wide-ranging program of action, structured around several pillars:

1. Highlighting Heritage Craftsmanship

rND has organized and supported demonstrations, workshops, and public events around traditional timber framing, hand-hewing, architectural tracing (trait de charpente), and other historical skills. It has celebrated manual intelligence and ancestral gestures, not as nostalgic relics, but as living knowledge still relevant today.

2. Promoting French Heritage Forests

The association has restored the vital link between the cathedral and the forests that provided its wood. Through the creation of the Futaies Notre-Dame initiative, it has developed permanent educational trails in iconic forests such as Guérigny, Tronçais, Ferrières, and Bercé. These trails explain sustainable forest management, tree selection, and the vital ecological and historical role of oaks in sacred architecture.

3. Cultural, Scientific, and Territorial Engagement

Through the traveling initiative “Notre-Dame Comes to You”, launched at the Royal Forges of Guérigny, rND has created spaces for dialogue between craftsmen, scientists, elected officials, and citizens. The exhibition features full-scale wooden models, public talks, screenings, and live demonstrations, all accessible to a wide audience. This initiative is set to travel across France from 2025 onward.

The association also spearheaded an academic program in partnership with leading schools and research labs, fostering student projects at the master’s level and compiling a reference library of documents. It has published books, hosted public lectures, released educational videos, and supported media coverage of the restoration.

4. A Long-Term Vision Beyond the Construction Site

Now that the cathedral has reopened, rND is not stopping. From 2025 to 2028, the association aims to:

Expand the Futaies Notre-Dame educational program to new regions;
Bring its traveling initiative to more French cities and schools;
Create a permanent cultural center dedicated to traditional woodworking and heritage trades, with a replica of Viollet-le-Duc’s spire as a centerpiece;
Deepen its partnerships with schools, vocational programs, and universities to ensure that Notre-Dame becomes a living resource for future generations.

Through its unwavering commitment, Restaurons Notre-Dame has embodied the soul of this restoration: methodical, humble, visionary, and anchored in the public interest. It has shown that civil society, when organized and guided by principle, can become a long-term force for preservation and renewal.

Chapter X - A Work of Transmission: Legacy and Future

Notre-Dame now stands restored, reopened, alive. But its reconstruction is not an ending—it is the beginning of a new chapter. The project has revealed a network of skills, values, and collective energy that cannot be allowed to fade. Now is the time to pass it on.

What should be transmitted? First, the know-how: timber framing, traditional tools, oak craftsmanship, architectural tracing. But also an ethos: that of a society capable of uniting around a common good, connecting trades, generations, and regions. And a philosophy of commitment: long-term, exacting, generous, and oriented not toward spectacle but toward meaning.

Restaurons Notre-Dame is rooted in this vision. Through its 2025–2028 projects, the association is committed to:

Expanding the Futaies Notre-Dame program to new emblematic forests, blending heritage education and ecological awareness;
Scaling up its “Notre-Dame Comes to You” initiative to schools, cathedrals, cities, and community centers across France;
Establishing a permanent cultural hub devoted to traditional wood trades and heritage restoration, anchored by a replica of Viollet-le-Duc’s spire;
Strengthening its collaboration with schools, technical programs, and universities so that the Notre-Dame restoration becomes a living educational and cultural reference point in France and beyond.

The spire rebuilt is a summit—but also a launching point. A lever for reviving meaning among the younger generations. A bridge between hand and mind. A call for excellence rooted in the real.

What we saved is not just a building. It is a wellspring of meaning. A cathedral of stone and wood, yes—but also of memory, of spirit, and of trust in what we can build together.

Now that Notre-Dame has been restored, it is up to us to carry forward the momentum it inspired.