Notre Dame’s bells ring for the first time since the fire that devastated the cathedral

The eight bells of the north bell tower of the cathedral Notre Dame of Paris, which is preparing to reopen on December 7, have sounded together for the first time this Friday after the fire that devastated the cathedral more than five years ago.

«It’s a nice step, important and symbolic», Philippe Jost, head of the public institution in charge of the restoration of the cathedral, told AFP. «Not everything is perfect yet. We are going to solve it, but this first attempt is conclusive,” declared Alexandre Gougeon, one of those responsible for the project to replace the pieces.

This sound signal marks another step in the Resurrection of one of the largest cathedrals in the West, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, and one of the most visited monuments in Europe. During the fire of April 15, 2019the flames reached part of the north bell tower of the building, which had 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 his original position.

From Gabriel, weighing more than four tons, to the smallest Jean-Marie (approximately 800 kg), named in honor of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, archbishop of Paris from 1981 to 2005, these eight bells are named after personalities who they have marked the life of the diocese and the Church. They returned to Notre Dame in mid-September with a small ceremony in which they were blessed.

Except for unforeseen events, the cathedral will reopen its doors next on the 7th December, with a formal ceremony with representatives of the French State. Starting the next day, a series of masses will consecrate the new altar and thank those who worked on its restoration.