Notre-Dame Cathedral, located in the heart of Paris, is undergoing significant restoration as it gears up for the holiday season. This magnificent and symbolic edifice, the pride of Paris for 850 years, was struck by a tragic fire in April 2019. The inferno got uncomfortably close to torching it. Following extensive efforts, the cathedral reopened to visitors one year prior to December 8, 2025, and continues to attract visitors from around the globe.
The intricate restoration process at Notre-Dame as it unfolds. Scaffolding rings the building, providing a further reminder with each passing day of how much work remains. September 2025 In September 2025, the newly-renovated north and south towers welcomed the public once again. Visitors are now able to enjoy breathtaking views of Paris from above. That complex spire, first lost to the inferno that consumed the cathedral, has undergone a painstaking reproduction process that took eight months.
Just weeks before Christmas, staff at Notre-Dame Cathedral are hard at work getting their xmas tree and decor on… let’s go! Leading the examples this year is the nativity scene which always attracts a lot of attention from fair goers. On December 24, a small plastic Bible will yield to an infant in crèche display. This change will be a very tangible representation of the Christmas story.
Philippe Jost, who was one of the main figures in charge of the restoration project, shared his thoughts on what ranges Cathedral’s legacy. He stated, “It’s the soul of a cultural monument, Catholic monument, and it’s the soul of all that people who have worked here have given to the monument.” There’s a lot of passion out there to restore and preserve this world-famous landmark, and his comments get right to the heart of that dedication.
Jost is excited about where things stand today. Yet he holds out hope for the cathedral—and its more ephemeral visitors. “We are very, very happy of what has been done here,” he noted.
Preparations are clearly underway… ABC News Live Prime will feature special access to inside Notre-Dame Cathedral, where workers are restoring the structure while readying it for Christmas celebrations.
