France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstruction
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron toured the reconstruction work at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Friday, cheering on workers painstakingly restoring the medieval monument four years after it suffered a devastating fire.
With light streaming through the cathedral’s stained-glass rose windows, Macron and his wife, Brigitte, gazed up at activity underway to replace the roof and spire, which were consumed by the flames on April 15, 2019.

Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP
French President Emmanuel Macron, front center, views restoration work Friday with, from left, French Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak, French army General Jean-Louis Georgelin and chief architect Philippe Villeneuve at the fire-damaged Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in Paris.
Outside, Macron stepped carefully along scaffolding and shouted to workers, “Good luck, and don’t give up in the months ahead!”
He has taken a personal interest in the reconstruction, creating a government agency to oversee the works and pushing for the cathedral to reopen to visitors and the faithful next year. While it won’t be ready in time for the Paris Olympics in July-August 2024, it is currently slated to open in time for Christmas next year.

Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP
Restorers work amid scaffolding Friday inside the nave of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, which was damaged by a fire four years ago, in Paris.
Authorities chose to rebuild the 12th-century monument, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the way it was before the fire. That includes recreating the 315-feet-tall spire added in the 19th century by architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc.
The base of the spire is being installed and is scheduled to be in place on Saturday, the fourth anniversary of the fire. The spire itself will be built in stages over the coming months, according to a statement Friday from the state agency overseeing the reconstruction.

Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP
Restorers work Friday inside the nave of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, which was damaged by a fire four years ago, in Paris.
Work is also underway to piece back together the cathedral’s 18th-century organ, which was removed and cleaned after sustaining damage in the fire, and to clean the cathedral’s 452,084 square feet of walls, the agency said.
The reconstruction itself started last year, after more than two years of work to make the monument stable and secure enough for artisans to start rebuilding it.
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionJean Marot/Wikimedia Commons
The interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral as illustrated in 1669.
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionAntier/Wikimedia Commons
The Notre Dame Cathedral as illustrated in 1699.
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionLouis-Auguste Bisson/Wikimedia Commons
The Notre Dame Cathedral as photographed in the 1850s.
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionASSOCIATED PRESS
The Cathedral of Notre Dame, Our Lady, on the island called Ile de la Cite in Paris, France, is shown in 1911. (AP Photo)
ASSOCIATED PRESSThe Cathedral of Notre Dame, Our Lady, on the island called Ile de la Cite in Paris, France, is shown in 1911. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionASSOCIATED PRESS
This is a nighttime view of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Our Lady, on the island called Ile de la Cite in Paris, France, in 1933. (AP Photo)
ASSOCIATED PRESSThis is a nighttime view of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Our Lady, on the island called Ile de la Cite in Paris, France, in 1933. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionAP
The scene of Golgotha during the Passion Play in Notre Dame, Paris, France on June 4, 1936. (AP Photo)
APThe scene of Golgotha during the Passion Play in Notre Dame, Paris, France on June 4, 1936. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionAP
Precautionary measures have been taken to protect the statues and sculptured stones of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris against Aerial bombardments on Sept. 12, 1939. Sandbags piled up as a protection against some of the carved stonework. (AP Photo)
APPrecautionary measures have been taken to protect the statues and sculptured stones of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris against Aerial bombardments on Sept. 12, 1939. Sandbags piled up as a protection against some of the carved stonework. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionAP
United States soldiers are shown being joyfully greeted by French women in the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, August 28, 1944. They dance and one girl seems to be pulling a soldier from the truck. (AP Photo)
APUnited States soldiers are shown being joyfully greeted by French women in the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, August 28, 1944. They dance and one girl seems to be pulling a soldier from the truck. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionMORSE
U.S. soldiers fill the pews of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, April 16, 1945, during the GI memorial service for U.S. President Roosevelt. (AP Photo/Morse)
MORSEU.S. soldiers fill the pews of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, April 16, 1945, during the GI memorial service for U.S. President Roosevelt. (AP Photo/Morse)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionASSOCIATED PRESS
The Cathedral of Notre Dame is seen from the Seine River in Paris, France on April 11, 1946. On the right is the St. Michel bridge. (AP Photo)
ASSOCIATED PRESSThe Cathedral of Notre Dame is seen from the Seine River in Paris, France on April 11, 1946. On the right is the St. Michel bridge. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionAP
President Dwight Eisenhower, touring Paris churches, May 18, 1960, looks up at sculpture of a burial scene in Cathedral of Notre Dame. (AP Photo)
APPresident Dwight Eisenhower, touring Paris churches, May 18, 1960, looks up at sculpture of a burial scene in Cathedral of Notre Dame. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionAP
President Dwight Eisenhower runs his hand over surface of one of the stained glass windows in Cathedral of Notre Dame, May 18, 1960, as he toured churches din the French Capital. (AP Photo)
APPresident Dwight Eisenhower runs his hand over surface of one of the stained glass windows in Cathedral of Notre Dame, May 18, 1960, as he toured churches din the French Capital. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionAnonymous
A Notre Dame gargoyle looks over the city of Paris on December 1966. In the background is the Eiffel Tower. (AP Photo)
AnonymousA Notre Dame gargoyle looks over the city of Paris on December 1966. In the background is the Eiffel Tower. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionAnonymous
Crowds gathered outside the Notre Dame de Paris, France where a memorial service was held for the former French President Charles de Gaulle on Nov. 12, 1970. (AP Photo)
AnonymousCrowds gathered outside the Notre Dame de Paris, France where a memorial service was held for the former French President Charles de Gaulle on Nov. 12, 1970. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionSTF
The funeral of former French President Charles De Gaulle at Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, on Nov. 12, 1970, was attended by many heads of state and members of European Royal families. President of the United States, Richard Nixon, sits right before the start of the service. (AP Photo)
STFThe funeral of former French President Charles De Gaulle at Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, on Nov. 12, 1970, was attended by many heads of state and members of European Royal families. President of the United States, Richard Nixon, sits right before the start of the service. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionCardenas
Philippe Petit, a 21-year-old professional tightrope walker, appears as a tiny figure as he lies on a tightrope, strung 225 feet above the ground, between the two towers of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, on June 26, 1971. The stunt lasted several hours, with police unable to bring him down. (AP Photo/Str/Cardenas)
CardenasPhilippe Petit, a 21-year-old professional tightrope walker, appears as a tiny figure as he lies on a tightrope, strung 225 feet above the ground, between the two towers of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France, on June 26, 1971. The stunt lasted several hours, with police unable to bring him down. (AP Photo/Str/Cardenas)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionCardenas
People watch as Philippe Petit, a 21-year-old professional tightrope walker, appears as the tiny figure sitting on a tightrope, strung 225 feet above the ground, between the two towers of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France on June 26, 1971, during a stunt which lasted several hours, with police unable to bring him down. (AP Photo/Str/Cardenas)
CardenasPeople watch as Philippe Petit, a 21-year-old professional tightrope walker, appears as the tiny figure sitting on a tightrope, strung 225 feet above the ground, between the two towers of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France on June 26, 1971, during a stunt which lasted several hours, with police unable to bring him down. (AP Photo/Str/Cardenas)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionSTF
A view of the Paris skyline showing the Gothic Towers of Notre Dame Cathedral, and at right the tower of the new Science University, taken on August 7, 1972. (AP Photo)
STFA view of the Paris skyline showing the Gothic Towers of Notre Dame Cathedral, and at right the tower of the new Science University, taken on August 7, 1972. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionASSOCIATED PRESS
General view of the memorial service in Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, in Paris, France, for the late French President Georges Pompidou on April 6, 1974, who had been buried in a simple ceremony on the outskirts of the city. Republican guards line the aisle during the service. (AP Photo)
ASSOCIATED PRESSGeneral view of the memorial service in Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, in Paris, France, for the late French President Georges Pompidou on April 6, 1974, who had been buried in a simple ceremony on the outskirts of the city. Republican guards line the aisle during the service. (AP Photo)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionJacques Langevin
Indian Spirit dancers perform in front of Notre Dame in Paris, July 6, 1977 by a group from Arizona, with their chief Hipo "Lo" Ca, director of the cultural center of Fort Apache. They came from the Indian reservation of White Mountain. (AP Photo/Jacques Langevin)
Jacques LangevinIndian Spirit dancers perform in front of Notre Dame in Paris, July 6, 1977 by a group from Arizona, with their chief Hipo "Lo" Ca, director of the cultural center of Fort Apache. They came from the Indian reservation of White Mountain. (AP Photo/Jacques Langevin)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionLIONEL CIRONNEAU
Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France, is shown in this 1987 photo. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
LIONEL CIRONNEAUNotre Dame cathedral in Paris, France, is shown in this 1987 photo. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionREMY DE LA MAUVINIERE
A chimera and a gargoyle watch over Paris from the top of the 11th century Notre Dame cathedral, Jan. 10, 1996. Architect Viollet le Duc added the chimeras and gargoyles to the tower walls when repairing the damages caused by the French Revolution. The chimeras are purely decorative while the garoyles were built to serve as raingutters. (AP Photo/Remy De La Mauviniere)
REMY DE LA MAUVINIEREA chimera and a gargoyle watch over Paris from the top of the 11th century Notre Dame cathedral, Jan. 10, 1996. Architect Viollet le Duc added the chimeras and gargoyles to the tower walls when repairing the damages caused by the French Revolution. The chimeras are purely decorative while the garoyles were built to serve as raingutters. (AP Photo/Remy De La Mauviniere)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionDOMENICO STINELLIS
Pope John Paul II attends the celebration of a beatification mass at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Aug. 22, 1997. The 77-year-old pontiff celebrated the beatification for Frederic Ozanam, a 19th-century French layman who founded the St-Vincent-de-Paul charity. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
DOMENICO STINELLISPope John Paul II attends the celebration of a beatification mass at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Aug. 22, 1997. The 77-year-old pontiff celebrated the beatification for Frederic Ozanam, a 19th-century French layman who founded the St-Vincent-de-Paul charity. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionREMY DE LA MAUVINIERE
The two towers of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris are pictured from the spire, June 13, 1998. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
REMY DE LA MAUVINIEREThe two towers of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris are pictured from the spire, June 13, 1998. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionJACQUES BRINON
A spire of Notre Dame Cathedral is damaged, Tuesday Dec. 28, 1999 in Paris after a second storm battered southwestern France. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
JACQUES BRINONA spire of Notre Dame Cathedral is damaged, Tuesday Dec. 28, 1999 in Paris after a second storm battered southwestern France. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionJACQUES BRINON
Notre Dame is illuminated for Christmas in Paris Monday, Dec. 23, 2002. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
JACQUES BRINONNotre Dame is illuminated for Christmas in Paris Monday, Dec. 23, 2002. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionFRANCOIS MORI
An unidentifed man on a scooter carries the Olympic flag past Notre Dame Cathedral during the Athens 2004 Olympic torch relay, in Paris, Friday, June 25, 2004. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
FRANCOIS MORIAn unidentifed man on a scooter carries the Olympic flag past Notre Dame Cathedral during the Athens 2004 Olympic torch relay, in Paris, Friday, June 25, 2004. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionJACQUES BRINON
Thousands of faithful gather in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris where a special mass in tribute of late Pope John Paul II is celebrated, Sunday, April 3, 2005. The pontiff died at age 84 after leading the Roman Catholic church for more than a quarter of a century. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
JACQUES BRINONThousands of faithful gather in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris where a special mass in tribute of late Pope John Paul II is celebrated, Sunday, April 3, 2005. The pontiff died at age 84 after leading the Roman Catholic church for more than a quarter of a century. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionWilltron/Wikimedia Commons
The interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral on Oct. 2, 2005.
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionWikimedia Commons
The interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral on Nov. 27, 2005.
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionREMY DE LA MAUVINIERE
A general view of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral with its new lighting design, shortly after it was inaugurated by Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe in Paris, Tuesday Dec. 12, 2006. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
REMY DE LA MAUVINIEREA general view of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral with its new lighting design, shortly after it was inaugurated by Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe in Paris, Tuesday Dec. 12, 2006. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionREMY DE LA MAUVINIERE
A Christmas tree is seen in front of the Notre Dame cathedral a few hours before the midnight mass, in Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
REMY DE LA MAUVINIEREA Christmas tree is seen in front of the Notre Dame cathedral a few hours before the midnight mass, in Paris, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionAlessandra Tarantino
Pope Benedict XVI delivers a message from the front of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, following a vespers service. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Alessandra TarantinoPope Benedict XVI delivers a message from the front of the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, following a vespers service. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionBenchaum/Wikimedia Commons
The interior of the Notre Dame Cathedral in April 2009.
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionMyrabella / Wikimedia Commons
Stalls and the choir organ appear inside the Notre Dame Cathedral on Feb. 14, 2013.
Myrabella / Wikimedia CommonsStalls and the choir organ appear inside the Notre Dame Cathedral on Feb. 14, 2013.
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France’s Macron tours Notre Dame Cathedral reconstructionThibault Camus
Flames and smoke rise from Notre Dame Cathedral as it burns in Paris, Monday, April 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Thibault CamusFlames and smoke rise from Notre Dame Cathedral as it burns in Paris, Monday, April 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)