At the end of this year, specifically on December 8, 2024, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris will reopen to the public after being closed since 2019 due to a massive fire.
Renovations are currently ongoing in preparation for the December reopening. According to RFI, Saturday (21/9/2024), the restoration of the Gothic cathedral includes the refurbishment of its eight giant bells.
Since 2023, the bells had been removed from the cathedral to allow restoration work to proceed without interference. Now, the eight bells were returned to the cathedral on Thursday (12/9).
Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, head of Notre-Dame Cathedral, said the arrival of the bells signifies the return of the cathedral’s iconic chimes.
Meanwhile, Philippe Jost, head of the Notre-Dame rebuilding project, mentioned that the eight bells will be restored to their original positions in the northern bell tower of the cathedral. Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to open to the public on December 8, 2024.
The bells were restored at a factory in Normandy, where they were originally cast in 2013.
Each of the bells, varying in size, has its own name inspired by historical figures associated with the cathedral. The heaviest bell, weighing more than 4 tons, is named ‘Gabriel.’
The smallest bell, weighing 782 kilograms, is named ‘Jean-Marie.’ The eight bells, made in 2013, were created to mark the 850th anniversary of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
In total, the cathedral houses 20 giant bells, with the largest, known as the ‘Bourdon,’ weighing around 13 tons and located in the southern tower.
The ‘Bourdon’ is typically rung during major events such as Christmas, Easter, and the death or ascension of a pope. Notably, the cathedral’s reopening in December represents a rescheduled date.
Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron had announced the reopening would coincide with the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. However, the plan was delayed.