New Notre-Dame spire takes shape on Paris skyline
New Notre-Dame spire takes shape on Paris skyline
A worker stands on the scaffolding surrounding the wooden structure of the new spire at Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral during reconstruction work, on the Ile de la Cite in Paris on November 28, 2023. This spire is being reconstructed to be identical to the original one, destroyed in the fire of April 15, 2019 with the Cathedral set to be reopened at the end of 2024 according to the French Minsitry of Culture. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
New Notre-Dame spire takes shape on Paris skyline
This photograph taken on November 28, 2023 shows Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral with the wooden structure of the new spire in place during reconstruction work, on the Ile de la Cite in Paris. This spire is being reconstructed to be identical to the original one, destroyed in the fire of April 15, 2019 with the Cathedral set to be reopened at the end of 2024 according to the French Minsitry of Culture. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
New Notre-Dame spire takes shape on Paris skyline
TOPSHOT - This photograph taken on November 28, 2023 shows the wooden structure of the new spire in place at Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral during reconstruction work. This spire is being reconstructed to be identical to the original one, destroyed in the fire of April 15, 2019 with the Cathedral set to be reopened at the end of 2024 according to the French Minsitry of Culture. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
New Notre-Dame spire takes shape on Paris skyline
This photograph taken on November 28, 2023 shows the wooden structure of the new spire in place at Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, on the Ile de la Cite in Paris, during reconstruction work. This spire is being reconstructed to be identical to the original one, destroyed in the fire of April 15, 2019 with the Cathedral set to be reopened at the end of 2024 according to the French Minsitry of Culture. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
PARIS—The outline of the new spire on the Notre-Dame Cathedral was visible on the Paris skyline on Tuesday as a key part of the reconstruction from a devastating fire approached completion.
Scaffolding still surrounded the new spire, captured by an AFP photographer, and officials did not wish to comment while they await the finishing touches.
The authority overseeing the rebuilding told AFP last Friday that the oak structure of the spire, which reaches 96 meters high, would be visible “before Christmas.”
It is identical to the previous one, designed by the 19th century architect Viollet-Le-Duc, which collapsed in the fire of April 15, 2019.
The scaffolding will remain to allow the installation of its cover and lead ornaments early next year, the authorities said.
The cathedral is due to reopen on Dec. 8, 2024, President Emmanuel Macron announced in August.
The frames of the nave and the choir of the cathedral, which were also destroyed, are due for completion in 2024, after which the construction of the roof can begin.
The final stages include cleaning the interior—an area that covers some 42,000 square meters—and installing new furniture. —AFP
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