Notre Dame Cathedral’s Renaissance: Record Visitor Numbers as Historic Restoration Continues

A Triumphant Return for Paris’s Iconic Cathedral

Five years after a devastating fire, the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris has made a remarkable comeback. Since reopening its doors on December 7, 2024, the cathedral has welcomed more than 6 million visitors in just six months, as of June 30, 2025.

The French newspaper La Tribune Dimanche reports an average of 35,000 daily visitors, with projections suggesting the cathedral could receive up to 12 million visitors by the end of 2025.

Restoration Progress and Ongoing Work

The massive restoration project, led by chief architect Philippe Villeneuve with assistance from Rémi Fromont and Pascal Prunet, has involved approximately 2,000 craftspeople and 250 companies, with a budget of about $900 million.

The restoration has prioritized historical authenticity, with the huge wooden trusses rebuilt using more than 1,500 old-growth oak trees and traditional medieval craftsmanship. The 750-ton spire was reconstructed using nineteenth-century methods of wood construction and lead roofing.

Looking Ahead

While the cathedral is now open to visitors, the complete restoration is scheduled to continue until 2026. The apse and sacristy will be finished in 2025, followed by the installation of new stained glass windows.

For those planning to visit in groups, access will be available from June 9, 2025, with reservations required for all groups of 7 to 25 people.

As the epitome of Gothic cathedral architecture, Notre Dame’s restoration using traditional craftsmanship is expected to ensure its survival for generations to come. The project represents a triumph of preservation that has united people worldwide in celebrating the return of this architectural masterpiece to its former glory.