Notre Dame Cathedral to reopen 5 years after massive fire

Five years after a devastating fire left the spire and roof badly damaged, restorative repairs of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris are nearing completion. NBC’s Keir Simmons reports for TODAY.

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#notredame #fire #paris

[hotshot]

I remember watching the live footage just floored that another well known monument was being lost. I’m so glad it was able to be refurbished and reconstructed with such care and love

[mencken]

This is actually the first good news I’ve read today.

[BITTYBOY]

Well done to that carpenter and all the other specialist people who helped to restore that badly damaged cathedral. This is what I call amazing team work and true craftsmanship...

[andyroo]

Handsome Hank and his skillful hands. Thank you to Hank and all of the craftsman who resurrected Notre Dame.

[williamjones]

I visited Notre Dame in 1985. I was 24. My bucket list is to live long enough to see it again. I am 63 today. God willing, I shall return.

[titanictx]

I visited there by coincidence back in 2018. My friend were on an open top bus when it suddenly started to rain and lightly hail. Everyone crammed down to the bottom - standing room only - water was sloshing everywhere as we drove around Paris. Suddenly, the rain stopped so my friend and I got off at the next stop, which just so happened to be Notre Dame. Then, it started raining again! So, we started running to find cover in Notre Dame. We walked in and the entire place felt warm and aglow. There was a choir quietly singing and people sitting listening to them while others explored the cathedral.

[LJB]

Unfortunately, there is now another historic spire that needs to be rebuilt - and for the same terrible reason. Hopefully some of the people can now help Copenhagen.

[Camtoonz]

This was a stunning report close to perfection on all counts - audio, videography, script and delivery by Kier. Really hit home seeing the work from this perspective using period tools and techniques - reminiscent of classical musicians playing period instruments while perfoming centuries old music. The parallel was palpable. Spot on great energy reporting.

[UnaBellissima]

It’s BEAUTIFUL once again. Thank you to all who made it happen. 🙏🏼💖✨

[libertyvilleguy]

Fascinating. I’d love to see a separate piece on the crafting of the vintage tools used by the workers. And another one about the search for the thousands of oak trees needed for the restoration. I recall hearing initially that they didn’t believe there were enough mature oaks left in all of France to handle the needs of the restoration. This American craftsman (or any other craftsman for that matter) who was there for five years could author a very interesting story about what the work was like.

[maverickmckee]

The literal fusion of man and machine, hand power and technology, coming together to save history.

[sqvnvbl]

It's been 5 years scene the fire in 2019.

[shimesu]

Watching this beautiful old lady burn was physically painful, and I was sick with worry, waiting for the walls to cave in without the roof to hold them up. I am so, so happy that she survived and that she's almost ready to welcome visitors again.

[sophie]

Never would've thought that it's been 5 years 😮

[Lauren-gwyj]

We went to France only two weeks after the fire. I was so sad we didn't get to see it. That was one of my top things that I wanted to visit.

[eddieg]

Finally, a billion dollars spent on something worthwhile!

[hallrecords]

A silva carpenter from New England? I wonder if he's any relation to the family at the heart of This Old House?

[JamesK]

I visited there on March 26, 2019 with my US and World history classmates in high school for spring break. I remember my teacher during passing time telling me about it 2 weeks after coming back to the USA. It’s gonna be crazy once we look back and realize this is just part of the long history it has

[francoisheron]

Impossible n'est pas français ....

[joebonello]

The IMPOSSIBLE DREAM - It happened. Congratulations to ALL who took part in recreating this beauty.