French President Emmanuel Macron visited work on the Notre Dame cathedral on Friday, three years after the fire that nearly destroyed the building. Macron described the times we are living in as “difficult” but referred to the cathedral’s reconstruction as a “testimony of hope”.
The visit was led by French Army General Jean-Louis Georgelin, and was also attended by First Lady Brigitte Macron.
The French chief architect of historic sites, Philippe Villeneuve, showed the president a statue of a golden rooster that could adorn the top of the arch once it was rebuilt. The president and the first lady also visited the site where a sarcophagus was found in March of this year and which, according to local media, scientists said was well preserved and could be from the 14th century.
Notre-Dame has been closed for restoration since a fire in 2019 destroyed its roof and toppled its tower, which shocked not only France but the entire world, who watched live the flames engulf the monument.
Despite the damage caused by the flames, Fire Department teams managed to salvage the main bell towers, exterior walls, religious relics and artwork.
During the visit, Macron promised to reopen the cathedral by 2024, when Paris will host the Olympic Games. The French president has set a five-year goal to restore the cathedral.
(Posted by Carolina Farias*)
Source: CNN Brasil
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