Notre Dame’s Iconic Towers Reopen: Six Years After the Fire, Paris Gets Its View Back

A Milestone in Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral reached a new landmark in its restoration as French President Emmanuel Macron officially reopened the cathedral’s famed towers to the public. The ceremony, held just ahead of the first opening weekend, marks one of the final steps in the massive rebuild that followed the April 15, 2019 fire. Visitors can now climb the 424 steps and take in sweeping views across Paris once again. Since the cathedral itself reopened in December 2024, close to 30,000 people per day have streamed through its doors to witness the rebirth of the Gothic masterpiece. The tower reopening restores a cherished part of the experience that generations of travelers and Parisians remember.

A Promise Kept

Macron, who has championed the project from the start, positioned the moment as the fulfillment of a pledge to finish the restoration within five years. The initial reopening last December drew world leaders and dignitaries, including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Britain’s Prince William, and then President-elect Donald Trump. Friday’s event added a symbolic capstone: the return of the towers, long a highlight for visitors seeking unmatched city views. For the president, the completed milestones underscore a rare national success story amid domestic political headwinds. For the public, they restore a beloved ritual—climbing the towers and seeing Paris from Notre Dame’s heights.

What the Tower Visit Includes

The new visitor route begins in the south tower and leads up to the belfry on an approximately 45-minute experience. While the path existed before the fire, it has been redesigned with improved viewpoints and enhanced spaces for guests. Along the way, visitors get close to the cathedral’s famed gargoyles and chimeras, the fantastical stone creatures that watch over the city from the facade. Crowd control is tight to preserve the setting and ensure safety: only 19 people are allowed inside at a time. Early interest has been intense, with the first two days of tickets selling out in just 24 minutes.

Tickets and Access

Entry to the towers requires an online ticket priced at 16 euros (about $19), while access to the cathedral itself remains free. The timed system manages flows and protects the delicate historic fabric of the upper structures. Given the limited capacity, travelers should plan ahead and book as soon as slots are released. Expect checks at various points along the route and prepare for stair climbing; there is no elevator access to the belfry. The payoff is the classic panorama—Paris rooftops, the Seine, and landmark silhouettes framed by centuries-old stone.

Inside the Reconstruction

Rebuilding Notre Dame has pushed both artisanship and technology to their limits. The project stabilized the 12th-century monument with extensive scaffolding and relied on hundreds of craftspeople to restore damaged elements. Teams used modern tools—drones, digital models, and computer animation—to guide precision work and ensure historical accuracy. The total cost has approached $1 billion. At the same time, engineers introduced new safeguards: upgraded fire-prevention systems and metal trusses that divide the vast roof into three sections to slow any future blaze. The result is a cathedral that honors its past while quietly embedding 21st-century resilience.

What’s Next for Notre Dame

Although reopening the towers marks the last major public milestone in the core reconstruction, work continues behind the scenes. The apse at the eastern end of the cathedral is the next focus for renovation. Crews are also addressing longer-standing maintenance needs that predate the fire, ensuring the entire church benefits from the restoration momentum. Officials describe this phase as a comprehensive refresh meant to bring every part of the building up to its best. Visitors should expect periodic adjustments to access as projects move from one area to another.

Planning Your Visit

• Book tower tickets early. Capacity is limited to small groups, and popular time slots go quickly.
• Allow about 45 minutes for the tower route. Stairs are steep and narrow; wear comfortable shoes.
• Visit the cathedral for free. You can explore the nave and chapels without a ticket, then time your tower climb for the best light.
• Check official updates. Restoration work continues, so certain areas may close temporarily.
• Be ready for security screening. The site uses layered checks to protect both visitors and the monument.

The Big Picture

With the towers open, Notre Dame has regained one of its defining experiences—and Paris, one of its most stirring viewpoints. The project blends painstaking craftsmanship with modern engineering, transforming tragedy into a model of cultural renewal. As final renovations unfold, the cathedral is once again a living monument: a place to climb, to look out over the city, and to feel the enduring pull of history.

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This article was written by Hunter and edited with AI Assistance