Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral rose from the rubble. After five and a half years of renovation, it was reopened by state law. It is indeed the miracle announced by French President Emmanuel Macron. Now hope for a second.
The president dreamed of it, time has made it possible. On the evening of December 7, 2024, Emmanuel Macron approaches his lectern at Notre-dame, which has already accompanied him to many places in the world.France is experiencing the worst political crisis of the V. Republic, all this reading has now agreed, but for the French president, who was only baptized at the age of twelve, it is indeed probably the highlight of his two-term term. Macron seems inspired.
Notre-Lady is saved. Notre-Lady rose.The Paris Cathedral shines, freed from the soot of the fire five and a half years ago and from the earth of the last decades. The stone is blonde, specialists say, it does not dazzle.
Despite the 6000 security officers, three pigeons have crept into the reopening, which have eliminated the oculus de la Cité as a top, they fly frantically through the church, which they have never seen so fully.If they were white,you would be tempted to read them as a sign. Macron finally wants to use the reopening of Notre-Dame to take up the question of foreign policy after having completely lost control of domestic politics.
“Nice as before”, Even more gorgeousMacron repeats these three words that were slipped like a defiant child the day after the fire. Five years later, he knows that this masterpiece is not only thanks to over 2000 craftsmen, architects, scaffolders, sturgeons, carpenters and restorers, the generous and small donors from all over the world, but also of his own determination. “Macron believes in miracles,” the newspaper “Libération” was headlined at the time.
In the midst of the government crisis is the reopening of Notre-Dame, comparable to the Olympic Games, one of the few luminous spots for the French president, but also for the French. France can celebrate as a nation of builders. The president speaks of an “unprecedented brotherhood”, of “hope”, of “transcendence”. “We discovered what great nations are capable of: doing the impractical.”
Macron’s tone, you know it’s solemn from him. But that evening, his words across the Cathedral ship like those of a priest. His sermon, you can’t call it anything else, lasts only eleven minutes. In front of him in the front row the crowned heads from Belgium and Monaco, the British heir to Prince William’s throne.
On the other side Jill Biden and: Donald Trump, the blue suit, the tie not republican red, but yellow, you would also like to read it as a sign, after all, they are the colors of ukraine. Shortly before,Trump in the elysée Palace was broken for a meeting with Wolodymyr Selenskyj,ther were photos with handshake that so far were worth gold in foreign policy.But you never know Trump.
When Selensky enters the Cathedral,the guests stand and applaud. Unfortunately, Trump missed this scene as the protocol sets the president of the United States who has not yet been introduced to a hero and the American could arrive as one of the last. Few fans try to cheer for Trump, but quickly clap in silence.
Private donations made the renovation possible
The archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, did not want Macron to speak in the church. The debate that emerged in france was quickly stifled, the Elysée rowed, a large tent on the cathedral square. All for nothing.
with the end of his bishop, transformed by one of the few bars of the roof structure that is not charred during the fire, the archbishop knocks three times on the gate of the last court and addresses his words in the cathedral as if to a person .“Notre-Dame,” Ulrich calls, “Open the doors.” from inside the Cathedral, the choir responds with “See the house of God among the people.” Ulrich repeats the ritual twice, then presses on the portal. Not an empty church in front of him, as it should have been, but a fully occupied church.
“It’s the Cannes film festival, without the red carpet”, writes “Le Monde”. The actresses Carole Bouquet and Salma Hayek, wife of François-Henri Pinault, whose father donated 100 million euros, are spotted shortly afterwards surmounted by Bernard Arnault, who doubled the sum.
His son antoine is accompanied by his wife Natalja Wodjanowa, a former model and colleague of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, wife of former president Nicolas Sarkozy. She is wearing the same dress she wore when visiting the 2008 queen, Dior, of John Galliano, a fallen star of the fashion firmament. The prefix “ex” sets the tone this evening,which applies also and in particular to the representatives of the French government and the head of the former government Michel Barnier.
Rain would have been desired on April 15, 2019
Storm Deep Darragh will make history. As with the opening ceremony on December 7, 2024, the truth could have finally been buried. Throughout the evening, broadcaster France Télévision will pretend as pianist Lang Lang, Soprano Pretty Yende and Pharrell Williams, pop star and chief designer of Louis vuitton, owned by major donor Bernard Arnault, in or in front of the Cathedral. In truth, everything was recorded in a very short time the night before.
The firefighters who got ovations in the Cathedral, the craftsmen who are asked about their impressions already get a certificate on Friday evening, but everyone pretends that the event was behind them. “It was wonderful,” lies a carpenter. Trump would triumph Alternative facts Certainly fallen.
But he also does not notice this second world of false statement, as after the ceremony we will continue with a dinner in the Elysée Palace. Even the white dust of peace that DJ Michaël Canitrot fluttered at the supposed end of the ceremony in a sound and light show to electric beats above the west façade of the Cathedral is from yesterday.
You just have to believe in the magic of images. In any case, Macron’s speech is really standing in front of the sculpture of Notre-Dame de Paris, also called Our Dear Wife on the Pillar, under which the poet Paul Claudel found faith on a Christmas Eve in 1886. The French mentions this, of course, as well as the other characters that make up the national myth of Notre-Dame, the kings of France, napoleon, who crowned themselves there, Victor Hugo, just Walt Disney, although the Cathedral is at least more Hollywood must like Hugo.
Macron calls Charles de Gaulles, of course, his arrival on the day of the liberation of Paris, August 26, 1944, when the largest and deepest bell of Notre-Dame after years of the German crew rang again, as Saturday evening Saturday evening after years Of renovation, a bell like a brummer, 13 tons heavy, tuned in FIS, called Emmanuel, you can’t make all this up.
The president could have mentioned De gaulle’s funeral service, including those of Georges Pompidou and François Mitterrand. when Jacques Chirac died in September 2019, the Cathedral was still in ruins. This list of the former French president only shows that the clean separation between church and state, which France thus maintains, is often an illusion even without gusts of wind and is colored in the long history of the state of the clergy and the monarchy For centuries and around power they fought. Even this evening, faith and politics, sermon and foreign policy cannot truly be separated, as the power of money at Notre Dame finally triumphs.
American philanthropist Ed Eisel is the first patron to enter the Pont D’Arcole, one of the few open bridges leading to the Cathedral for the ordinary mortal. He donated $1.5 million.
They did not leave Elon Musk at the Berlin Club berghain, when the emergency lady opened the bouncers and the professional physiognomists were more lenient. He landed on his own plane that evening because he can’t be assumed in his own plane, but this still comes.
Musk’s eye went up as soon as he entered the cathedral. So it was thought of by the Gothic builders who understood their house as a symbolic and mental emergence towards God. But do you see the carefully decorated final stones of the crossed arches at a height of 33 meters?
Do you see the face of the devil and that of the angel facing each other, and to which category does it belong? He is the richest man in the world, he says to himself. His name to our knowledge does not appear in the list of benefactors.
What were the main challenges faced during the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Camille Lefevre,Historical architect and Notre-Dame Restoration Expert
Editor: Good evening,Dr. Lefevre. Thank you for joining us. Just a few weeks ago, the world witnessed the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral after five and a half years of extensive renovations. What were your feelings as you watched the ceremony unfold on December 7,2024?
Dr. Lefevre: Good evening, and thank you for having me. It was an emotional moment for many, including myself. Seeing Notre-Dame rise from the ashes, restored to its former glory, felt almost miraculous. Emmanuel Macron’s speech resonated deeply, reflecting not just a personal triumph for France, but a collective achievement that brought together craftsmen, architects, and ordinary citizens from around the world.
Editor: The reopening was described as akin to a national celebration of craftsmanship and heritage. What do you think this means for France,particularly given the current political climate?
Dr. Lefevre: This event symbolizes resilience. Amidst a significant political crisis, the restoration of Notre-Dame provides a beacon of hope and unity. Macron’s emphasis on “transcendence” and “brotherhood” speaks to the power of collective effort in overcoming adversity. It reminds us that grate nations can achieve what seems unfeasible when they come together.
Editor: Speaking of collective efforts, the renovation was supported by numerous private donations. how crucial were these contributions in the success of the restoration?
Dr.Lefevre: Absolutely critical. The public’s response, wiht donations from individuals and corporations alike, demonstrated a profound connection to Notre-Dame as a symbol of French culture.It’s a blend of grassroots support and high-profile contributions, like those from the Arnault family, that made this monumental task feasible. Ironically, it was the notion of “saving” Notre-Dame that sparked this remarkable solidarity.
Editor: During the ceremony, Macron referred to the cathedral’s former beauty, stating it was “even more gorgeous” than before. What specific architectural changes did you notice during the restoration efforts?
Dr. Lefevre: The meticulous care taken to restore the stonework, particularly after the fire’s smoke and damage, is commendable. We also see subtle upgrades, like modern safety measures integrated into its historic structure.While preserving its essence, the restoration team made sure to highlight the original gothic features, allowing the cathedral to shine anew, as Macron articulated.
Editor: There were numerous dignitaries present at the reopening, including heads of state and celebrities. How do you think they responded to this event, especially with the undercurrents of political tension evident in the room?
Dr. Lefevre: The gathering of such influential figures was significant. It was a moment for not just France but for international unity in appreciation of cultural heritage. However, the presence of controversial figures – like Trump – introduced an undeniable tension.The dichotomy of applause for Volodymyr Zelensky juxtaposed against a subdued reception for Trump spoke volumes about current global sentiments.
Editor: With all that attention, do you think the reopening of Notre-Dame will influence France’s foreign policy, as Macron hinted at in his speech?
Dr. Lefevre: That’s possible. Macron has cleverly tied the cathedral’s rebirth to the broader narrative of France’s role on the global stage. By showcasing France as a resilient cultural leader, he may leverage this moment to strengthen diplomatic ties or present France as a proponent of cultural preservation and heritage globally.
Editor: As we look to the future, Dr. Lefevre, what do you hope to see come from the reopening of Notre-Dame?
Dr. Lefevre: I hope it inspires further investment in cultural heritage not just in France but globally.We must recognize the importance of maintaining our historical sites. Furthermore, let Notre-Dame stand as a symbol that can guide us through contemporary challenges—whether they be political, environmental, or societal. The spirits of unity and creativity that brought this cathedral back to life must continue to thrive.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lefevre, for your insights tonight. The reopening of Notre-Dame indeed brings much hope for both the future of France and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Dr. Lefevre: Thank you for having me.It’s a pleasure to discuss such a monumental occasion.