The reconstruction of Paris's Notre-Dame cathedral in March, 2024 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

President of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tony Estanguet, said: "I am truly moved to hear the precious bells of Notre-Dame ring once again. They are a symbol of eternity."

Philippe Jost, who heads the task force in charge of the reconstruction, said this is an important milestone, marking the revival of one of the largest cathedrals of the Western world, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site that welcomes millions of tourists every year: "We are on schedule. There are still many workers at the Cathedral, which is normal since they are finishing up with restoring the artworks and installing the lighting and audio-visual systems."

Notre Dame will reopen its doors in one month, with ceremonies and celebrations planned to begin Dec. 7. The following day, Dec. 8, will see the first mass and consecration of the new altar.

Currently, the 19th-century Gothic spires have been restored with exact replicas of the originals. The stained glass windows have regained their original colors, and the walls have been repolished.

However, the upcoming reopening will not mean the end of the restoration process. Part of the lead roof still needs to be completed. Statues of the apostles and saints, which were removed before the fire, will also be reinstalled in the first half of 2025.

The fire on April 15, 2019 engulfed the roof, the spire, and many other treasures of the 860-year-old Gothic architecture. It took two years just to stabilize the structure so that restorers could work safely inside the building.