by Tablet Staff
More than seven years after a devastating fire damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral, French officials have announced the final phase of the landmark restoration project, with work expected to continue from 2027 through 2033.
Although the Paris cathedral reopened for worship in December 2024 and has since welcomed thousands of pilgrims and visitors each day, restoration efforts are ongoing. The next stage will focus on repairing areas affected by the April 15, 2019, fire while also preserving parts of the historic structure that have deteriorated over centuries.
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Officials estimate the final phase will cost approximately $172 million. Around $23 million has already been secured, with the remaining funding expected to come through a new international fundraising campaign modeled after the successful effort launched following the fire.
One of the centerpiece projects will be the restoration of the cathedral’s iconic western rose window, a masterpiece of 13th-century Gothic architecture. Plans also include work on the north transept facades, medieval sculptures, and other architectural features requiring conservation.
The 860-year-old cathedral’s reopening in late 2024 marked the return of regular liturgies and public access after years of reconstruction. It also represented a significant milestone in one of the world’s most closely watched restoration projects.
The latest phase will build on the international support that followed the 2019 fire, when donors from around the world pledged just over $1 billion to help rebuild the cathedral. Those contributions made the initial reconstruction possible and left funding available for continued preservation efforts.
Notre-Dame continues to stand as both an active place of worship and one of the world’s most visited religious landmarks.