This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On July 10, 2020, French President Emmanuel Macron made a significant announcement regarding the restoration of the Notre Dame cathedral, which suffered a devastating fire in April 2019.
According to Macron, the spire of the iconic cathedral will be rebuilt exactly as it was, adhering to its original Gothic design. This decision comes as a relief to many who were concerned that the spire might be rebuilt in a modern style.
Macron had previously hinted at the possibility of a 'contemporary gesture' for the spire's reconstruction, which sparked a heated debate among architects and historians. However, the French President has now made it clear that he wants the restoration to be completed by 2024, when Paris is hosting the Olympics.
The Elysée Palace, the official residence of the French President, stated that Macron's main concern was to avoid unnecessary delays and complications in the reconstruction process. The Palace added that the process of designing a modern spire, with an international competition for architects, could have caused significant delays.
Macron's decision to rebuild the spire in its original design has been welcomed by many, including the cathedral's chief architect, Philippe Villeneuve. Villeneuve had been a strong advocate for a faithful restoration of the 19th Century design.
When the 13th century roof of the Paris cathedral caught fire during restoration works in April 2019, it sparked a vast outpouring of emotion and donations from across the world. Within two days, about €900m ($1bn; £805m) had been raised for the cathedral's restoration.
The cathedral's first spire was built in the 13th Century, but due to extensive damage, it was removed in the late 18th Century. Its replacement, designed by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, was built in the mid-19th Century.
