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Notre-Dame’s Restored Towers Reopen After Macron’s Inauguration

Visitors face a redesigned 45-minute climb featuring an oak double‑helix staircase under tighter, timed access.

Overview

  • President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the fully restored north and south towers on September 19, with public visits beginning September 20 to coincide with European Heritage Days.
  • The new route ascends 424 steps to terraces about 69 meters high and takes roughly 45 minutes, offering interior beffroi access and panoramic views of Paris.
  • Access is tightly managed with a cap of 400,000 visitors per year, groups limited to 19, €16 tickets sold online, and early Heritage Days slots selling out in about 24 minutes.
  • A monumental oak double‑revolution staircase about 21 meters tall, assembled from roughly 1,200 pieces after thousands of hours of craftwork, now threads the belfry to separate ascents and descents.
  • Restoration included replacing burnt beams, removing and inspecting the eight bells, jacking 150 tonnes of the beffroi, renewing lead roofing, and safety upgrades, with the restoration phase cited at €552 million; about €140 million in donations remain as two to three years of follow‑up work and new fundraising proceed.