Notre Dame Bells Ring Again: Iconic Paris Cathedral Revives Sound After 2019 Fire
Notre Dame Bells Ring Again: For the first time since the devastating 2019 fire, the bells of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris rang out on Friday, marking a symbolic milestone in its ongoing restoration. This powerful sound filled the city just one month before the grand reopening, set for December 7 and 8, after five years of intricate restoration work.
The bells, housed in the northern belfry, were sounded individually just before 10:30 a.m., culminating in a harmonious chime of all eight bells. Among them, the largest, known as “Gabriel,” weighs over four tonnes, while the smallest, “Jean-Marie,” weighs 800 kilograms.
“This is a beautiful, important, and symbolic step,” stated Philippe Jost, who leads the public body responsible for Notre Dame’s restoration. Alexandre Gougeon, overseeing the reinstallation, emphasized, “It’s not perfect yet, but we will make it perfect,” noting that Friday’s test was a success.
On April 19, 2019, the world witnessed the flames engulf this historical landmark, causing extensive damage and bringing down the iconic spire. President Emmanuel Macron set an ambitious goal for Notre Dame to be restored within five years, bringing together over 250 companies and hundreds of experts for the monumental effort, which has cost hundreds of millions of euros.
The bells were meticulously removed after the fire to clean them of lead and dust, with restoration work to the northern belfry ensuring their return to place. The December reopening will include a weekend of ceremonies, celebrating the resilience and revival of this iconic symbol of Paris.
