The tall spire of Notre Dame Cathedral, perhaps the most dramatic victim of the April 2019 fire that ravaged the 12th-century monument, will soon be replaced as reconstruction work continues.
The Ministry of Culture, in a statement, has said the new spire, a copy of the 19th-century version designed by Eugene Viollet-Le-Duc, will be in place by the end of this year. Work started this week with the installation of scaffolding, and the delivery by barge of custom-cut base stones.
The steeple on fire, April 15, 2019
Despite the projected completion of the tower, the Cathedral won’t be open in time for events during the Olympics in July and August of 2024, but the official word is that it will be ready to welcome visitors by the end of December 2024.
The new steeple is being built from the original plans, and with the same materials, which include 500 tonnes of oak for the structure and 250 tonnes of lead for the sheathing and ornaments. The use of lead has raised some questions, because in the aftermath of the fire, the area around Notre Dame was heavily contaminated with lead that had melted in the fire. Officials have assured that for the new construction adequate precautions are being taken.
