The resurrection of Notre Dame – the treasured Gothic gem in the heart of Paris struck by a devastating fire in 2019 – has been a closely guarded secret. Few had seen the meticulous work of architects, artisans and master craftspeople who have carefully brought the cathedral back to life. Until now.

On Friday, the world got the first glimpses of the revamped UNESCO World Heritage Site as French President Emmanuel Macron carried out his final site visit ahead of its grand reopening on December 7 and 8.

Many will remember watching in horror five years ago as bright orange flames engulfed the 860-year-old Gothic cathedral, its famed spire toppling from the Paris skyline.

At the time, Macron vowed the beloved building would be restored and set an ambitious deadline of five years. Fast forward 2,055 days, the seemingly impossible has been achieved and the €700 million ($737 million) restoration is complete.

A bronze tabernacle is seen on architect Viollet-le-Duc’s altar and the statues that make up the Vow of Louis XIII.
A bronze tabernacle is seen on architect Viollet-le-Duc’s altar and the statues that make up the Vow of Louis XIII.
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The Notre Dame cathedral is set to re-open in early December 2024, with a planned weekend of ceremonies December 7 and 8.
The Notre Dame cathedral is set to re-open in early December 2024, with a planned weekend of ceremonies December 7 and 8.
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President Emmanuel Macron meets with Marie Parant, who restored murals in the Saint Marcel's chapel within the building. Twenty-nine chapels surround the interior of the cathedral. They were not part of the original plans for the space but added in the 13th century.
President Emmanuel Macron meets with Marie Parant, who restored murals in the Saint Marcel's chapel within the building. Twenty-nine chapels surround the interior of the cathedral. They were not part of the original plans for the space but added in the 13th century.
Christophe Petit Tesson/AFP/Getty Images
A detailed view the inside of Notre Dame cathedral.
A detailed view the inside of Notre Dame cathedral.
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The dioceses of Paris decided to fully refurnish the interior of the cathedral and tasked French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet with creating new liturgical pieces, including the high altar, ambo, cathedra, tabernacle and baptistry.
The dioceses of Paris decided to fully refurnish the interior of the cathedral and tasked French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet with creating new liturgical pieces, including the high altar, ambo, cathedra, tabernacle and baptistry.
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Macron delivers a speech during the visit to Notre Dame. “You have transformed ashes into art,” he told the crowd, which included more than 1,300 people who worked on the restoration.
Macron delivers a speech during the visit to Notre Dame. “You have transformed ashes into art,” he told the crowd, which included more than 1,300 people who worked on the restoration.
Sarah Meyssonnier/AFP/Getty Images
The Crown of Thorns is considered one of the most precious relics of Notre Dame. Brought to Paris from the Holy Land in 1263 by Saint Louis, firefighters managed to save it on the night of the fire, though its glass case was broken in the process. A new reliquary has been designed by French artist Sylvain Dubuisson.
The Crown of Thorns is considered one of the most precious relics of Notre Dame. Brought to Paris from the Holy Land in 1263 by Saint Louis, firefighters managed to save it on the night of the fire, though its glass case was broken in the process. A new reliquary has been designed by French artist Sylvain Dubuisson.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron view the new roof structure of Notre Dame. The Elysee described this moment of the walkthrough as “one of the most symbolic” moments of the visit. Before the fire, the roof was nicknamed “the forest” because it was made with oak trees from across France, and due to the density of the vaults. It was the epicenter of the blaze before it collapsed, according to the French government.
Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron view the new roof structure of Notre Dame. The Elysee described this moment of the walkthrough as “one of the most symbolic” moments of the visit. Before the fire, the roof was nicknamed “the forest” because it was made with oak trees from across France, and due to the density of the vaults. It was the epicenter of the blaze before it collapsed, according to the French government.
Sarah Meyssonnier/AP
The choir stalls of Notre Dame on November 29.
The choir stalls of Notre Dame on November 29.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
A general view of the newly-restored nave of Notre Dame. It is the fourth time that the nave has been rebuilt. Before any work could be done, the building first needed to be secured to prevent damaged portions from collapsing and to support the 28 flying buttresses of the nave.
A general view of the newly-restored nave of Notre Dame. It is the fourth time that the nave has been rebuilt. Before any work could be done, the building first needed to be secured to prevent damaged portions from collapsing and to support the 28 flying buttresses of the nave.
Christophe Petit Tesson/AFP/Getty Images
Macron is accompanied on the televised walkthrough by Paris' archbishop Laurent Ulrich and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo.
Macron is accompanied on the televised walkthrough by Paris' archbishop Laurent Ulrich and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
The south rose window, offered as a gift by King Louis the IX, has been restored to its full glory. It’s not the first time it’s been rebuilt, had to be reconstructed in the 18th and 19th centuries too.
The south rose window, offered as a gift by King Louis the IX, has been restored to its full glory. It’s not the first time it’s been rebuilt, had to be reconstructed in the 18th and 19th centuries too.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
This photograph shows part of a bas-relief outside the Notre Dame cathedral.
This photograph shows part of a bas-relief outside the Notre Dame cathedral.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
Macron’s first stop on a site visit of the refurbished Notre Dame cathedral is the forecourt outside the cathedral. Restoration work here is not yet finished as the surrounding area redevelopment is not due to start until next year, finishing in 2030.
Macron’s first stop on a site visit of the refurbished Notre Dame cathedral is the forecourt outside the cathedral. Restoration work here is not yet finished as the surrounding area redevelopment is not due to start until next year, finishing in 2030.
Stephane de Sakutin/Reuters
Pedestrians stop and look at Notre Dame cathedral on November 28 ahead of the reopening.
Pedestrians stop and look at Notre Dame cathedral on November 28 ahead of the reopening.
Thomas Hubert/SIPA/Shutterstock
Workers operate on scaffoldings around the wooden structure of the new spire of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris in July 2024. This spire was reconstructed to be identical to the original one that was destroyed in the 2019 blaze.
Workers operate on scaffoldings around the wooden structure of the new spire of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris in July 2024. This spire was reconstructed to be identical to the original one that was destroyed in the 2019 blaze.
Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images
A technician works at the reconstruction site in July 2022.
A technician works at the reconstruction site in July 2022.
Geoffroy Van der Hasselt/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Workers plaster stonework as they rappel down a vault inside Notre Dame in April 2021.
Workers plaster stonework as they rappel down a vault inside Notre Dame in April 2021.
Ian Langsdon/Pool/Reuters
An aerial view shows the widespread damage to the cathedral in April 2019. Before the fire, the roof was nicknamed “the forest” because it was made with oak trees from across France. It was the epicenter of the blaze before it collapsed, according to the French government.
An aerial view shows the widespread damage to the cathedral in April 2019. Before the fire, the roof was nicknamed “the forest” because it was made with oak trees from across France. It was the epicenter of the blaze before it collapsed, according to the French government.
Gigarama.ru/AP
The steeple and spire collapse as the roof of the Notre Dame burns.
The steeple and spire collapse as the roof of the Notre Dame burns.
Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images
People watch as smoke and flames rise during the fire at the historic monument in central Paris in April 2019.
People watch as smoke and flames rise during the fire at the historic monument in central Paris in April 2019.
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