Notre-Dame rooster back on Paris cathedral's spire as renovation enters final stage

A large crane hoisted a new copper rooster back to the top of the spire of Notre-Dame on Saturday, a meaningful milestone as workers race to finish renovating the fire-damaged Paris cathedral in the next twelve months.

In the devastating fire that engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019, an iconic symbol, the old rooster, suffered damage as it crashed through the roof along with the wooden spire to which it was affixed. Despite the destruction, the dented yet nearly intact rooster was recovered from the debris the following day and is now slated to be showcased in a new Notre Dame museum.

A recent ceremony presided over by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich marked the blessing of a new weather vane rooster crafted from golden copper. This modern iteration, featuring religious relics and a parchment listing the names of workers, donors, and patrons, was designed by Philippe Villeneuve, the chief architect of historical sites. Villeneuve described the flame-shaped rooster as a symbolic phoenix, representing the ascent of the flame to the cathedral's highest point. He emphasized that it signifies a fire of resurrection, evoking the moment when he presented the fallen rooster to the public in the aftermath of the destructive fire.

French President Emmanuel Macron, during a recent visit to the reconstructed spire, affirmed his commitment to completing the cathedral's reconstruction as planned, ensuring its reopening within 12 months. The spire, standing at 96 meters (315 feet), was not part of Notre Dame's original design from the 12th century but was added during a 19th-century restoration by architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. Despite initial debates about incorporating a modern twist, the reconstructed spire faithfully replicates its predecessor.

With scaffolding still in place, the spire has returned to the skyline, signaling progress in the ongoing reconstruction efforts. Notre-Dame is scheduled to reopen for religious services and the public on December 8, 2024. A workforce of 500 individuals labors daily on-site to meet this ambitious deadline. The upcoming stages of the reconstruction plan include waterproofing the oak roof with lead starting in early 2024, as well as the gradual reinstallation of the cathedral's furnishings, statues, artwork, and the renovated organ throughout the following year.