The eight bells of the north bell tower of Notre-Dame de Paris, which is preparing to reopen on December 7, rang this Friday, more than five years after the fire that devastated the cathedral, AFP noted.
Just before 10.30am (0930 GMT), the bells rang one after the other, powered by motors, to form a harmonious ballet, according to AFP journalists at the scene.
“It is a beautiful, important and symbolic step”, greeted Philippe Jost, head of the public body in charge of the restoration of the cathedral, who was also present at this premiere.
“All the bells together, it’s the first time” since the fire in April 2019, he underlined, less than a month after the reopening of the cathedral.
“Everything is not perfect yet. We will solve the problem perfectly, but this first test is conclusive”, said an emotional Alexandre Gougeon, of the Gougeon company, responsible for the bell refitting project for the ATC group, hailing “an excellent result”. The individual bell-by-bell tests took place on Thursday.
This sound signal marks a further step in the resurrection of one of the greatest cathedrals in the West, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most visited monuments in Europe.
During the fire on April 15, 2019, the flames reached part of the building’s north bell tower, which needed to be restored. To do this, the eight bells housed in this tower were carefully removed, cleaned of lead dust and restored before returning to their original location.
From the “Gabriel”, which weighs more than four tons, to the smaller “Jean-Marie” (about 800 kg), so named in homage to Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, archbishop of Paris from 1981 to 2005, these eight bells carry the name of personalities who have marked the life of the diocese and the Church.
They returned to Notre-Dame in mid-September during a small ceremony and were blessed for the occasion.
Title: The Resonance of Restoration: A Conversation on Notre-Dame’s Renaissance
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good day, and welcome to this special edition of our interview series. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Philippe Jost, the head of the public body responsible for the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris. Philippe, thank you for joining us today.
Philippe Jost: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here, especially as we approach such an important milestone for Notre-Dame.
Editor: Just recently, the bells of the north bell tower rang for the first time since the tragic fire of April 2019. Can you tell us about that moment?
Jost: Absolutely! It was a beautiful and symbolic moment as all eight bells rang together again. This was the first time we experienced such harmony since the fire devastated the cathedral over five years ago. It truly felt like a key step towards the full reopening of Notre-Dame.
Editor: What were some of the emotions in the air during that moment?
Jost: There were lots of emotions—excitement, relief, and a sense of hope. This ringing was not just about the sound; it represented resilience and our dedication to restoring this incredible piece of history. Alexandre Gougeon, who led the bell refitting project, shared his joy and relief, stating that while everything isn’t perfect yet, “this first test is conclusive.”
Editor: That’s touching to hear. How did the bells end up being restored? Were there specific challenges you faced?
Jost: Restoring the bells was a complex task. They had to be re-fitted and tested extensively to ensure they were safe and could properly resonate. We used motors to power the bells for this initial ringing, allowing their timeless sound to fill the cathedral once more. Despite facing various hurdles, we were excited about the results of the individual bell tests leading up to the full test.
Editor: How significant is this ringing in the context of the cathedral’s overall restoration, which is slated for reopening on December 7?
Jost: The ringing of the bells serves as a significant milestone in our restoration journey. It is a celebratory moment that reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, not just for the restoration, but for the collective hope of the community and the world. We’re actively working to ensure that December 7 marks a new chapter for Notre-Dame.
Editor: What can visitors expect when the cathedral finally reopens?
Jost: Visitors will find a restored cathedral that honors its history while ensuring it is safe and welcoming. We aim to create a space where people can come together—to reflect, to admire the remarkable architecture, and to experience the culture and history that Notre-Dame embodies. The full restoration is still ongoing, but we believe that the reopening will allow everyone to reconnect with this iconic monument.
Editor: Philippe, thank you for sharing these insights with us today. It sounds like a momentous time for Notre-Dame and for Paris as a whole.
Jost: Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing the response from the public when we reopen. It promises to be a celebration of resilience and heritage.
Editor: Absolutely! We cannot wait to witness this historic moment. Thank you once again, Philippe, for joining us today.