Notre-Dame’s towers welcome visitors again, six years after blaze

The north and south towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reopened to the public on Saturday, six years after a devastating fire ravaged the cathedral on 15 April 2019, destroying the roof and spire and inflicting major damage.

French President Emmanuel Macron presided over the inauguration, allowing visitors to ascend the 424 steps to experience restored terrace views and the cathedral’s iconic gargoyles once more.

Visitors can start tours from the south tower, climbing into the belfry before emerging onto terraces that offer sweeping panoramic views of Paris. The route includes viewing the two main bells and then descending via the north tower. 

Tickets cost €16 per person and must be bought online in advance. Capacity is strictly limited, only 19 people are allowed in at any one time. 

The restoration effort has been massive, involving stabilisation of the structure, safety upgrades, cleaning of stonework, repair of damage from heat and smoke, and reconstruction of wood and roof elements. While this reopening marks a major milestone, further repair work remains, especially in the apse on the cathedral’s eastern end. 

Restoration is estimated to have cost several hundred million euros, financed through donations and overseen by specialised heritage and restoration teams. The project also included improvements to visitor pathways and safety systems. 

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