Risen from the Ashes

Walking up to the cathedral, you will be taken aback by its grandeur. The Gothic style of architecture, which was highly prominent during its construction in 1163, sets a tone of divinity for this place of worship. 

The cathedral‘s interior is 427 feet by 157 feet with 115-foot-high ceilings. Two massive Gothic towers crown the western facade, which is divided into three stories. Its doors are adorned with early Gothic carvings and are surmounted by a row of figures of Old Testament kings. 

The building’s exterior carvings of Grotesques— about 54 in total—are an essential architectural element of the cathedral, adorning the upper gallery and adding to the cathedral’s unique character. Large clerestory windows added between 1235 and 1270 infuse the interior with light that exudes a heavenly aura.

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The Notre Dame Cathedral has undergone many renovations since it was originally built 862 years ago. Modifications to the original building were made from the mid-13th to mid-14th century. During the Renaissance in the 17th century, artistic and architectural tastes evolved, and King Louis XIII wanted to make changes to the cathedral as a symbol of his devotion. He vowed to modify its choir loft and create a high altar. 

By the 19th century, Notre Dame Cathedral was in dire need of renovation. With a renewed interest in the building partly due to Victor Hugo’s hit novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, architects Jean-Baptiste Lassus and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc led the restoration in 1844. The cathedral underwent structural changes to bring it closer to its original form. A spire was added to replace the one removed in 1780, the Gallery of Kings was recreated, and new decorative elements were introduced. 

There were no further renovations planned until 2018. Unfortunately, in 2019, a devastating fire began in the cathedral, which destroyed its spire and caused significant damage to its roof, vaults and interior. 

After the fire was contained, the mission was to rebuild and restore the cathedral as it had never been before. The $740 million restoration, which breathed new life into this ICONIC space, was completed in December 2024.

 This massive project resurrected the Notre Dame Cathedral from the ashes of the fire just six years prior. Overseen by Rebuilding Notre Dame, the renovation took more than 2,000 architects, historians and skilled trade workers to rehabilitate this beloved site. Marrying centuries-old techniques with state-of-the-art technology, workers significantly upgraded the stability and structure of the building without sacrificing its original character. 

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To achieve this hefty task, the team utilized digital scans taken of the building in 2015, allowing architects and builders to look at the structure’s idiosyncrasies down to the millimeter.

The cleanup from the fire proved difficult due to lead contamination and clearing melted metal. However, removing the lead contamination created an opportunity to give the cathedral a deep cleaning. Centuries of dirt, grime and candle soot were scrubbed away, leaving the cathedral to sparkle. 

Original materials and techniques from the 12th century were used to restore Notre Dame. Carpenters resourced more than 2,500 oak trees to replicate the roof and spire to the exact dimensions of the first building. 

The cathedral’s interior boasts opulence and historical depictions throughout. The structure is sound and refreshed yet still holds the rich history and energy from centuries before.  

Between the painstaking efforts of the thousands who worked on this restoration and the support of the community and government, this ICONIC landmark has been given the ultimate spa day, allowing it to shine in all its glory. Because of the success of this project, the Notre Dame Cathedral will be viewed and explored by travelers, historians and enthusiasts for centuries to come.