The bells of Notre Dame Cathedral ring for the first time since the 2019 fire

The bells mark another step towards the upcoming opening of one of the largest cathedrals in the West. Notre Dame is preparing to reopen on 7 December.

Notre Dame.
Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is one of the most emblematic monuments of the French capital and one of the great masterpieces of Gothic architecture.

On Friday, 8 November, the eight bells of the north bell tower of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris were heard ringing. This is the first time since the fire that devastated the cathedral on 15 April, 2019.

Notre Dame Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited monuments in Europe.

The chimes mark another step towards the upcoming opening of one of the largest cathedrals in the West, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Notre Dame is preparing to reopen on 7 December.

Following the 2019 fire, the eight bells in the north tower were removed, cleaned and restored before being returned to their original position. During the fire, flames reached part of the north bell tower.

The eight bells and their names

The eight bells returned to Notre Dame in mid-September after a small ceremony in which they were blessed. The bells bear the names of personalities who have marked the life of the diocese and the Church.

The largest and most famous bell is Emmanuel, weighing 13 tonnes, while the smallest is Jean-Marie, weighing approximately 800 kg. The others are called Marie, Jacques, Denis, Antoine, Étienne and Gabriel.

Reopening ceremony

Notre Dame is a French expression meaning "Our Lady." The term refers to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, and is an honorific title used by many churches dedicated to her. The cathedral will reopen on 7 December with a formal ceremony with representatives of the French state. Starting the following day, several masses will be held to consecrate the new altar and thank those who worked on its restoration.

Almost 900 years of history

The Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is one of the most emblematic monuments of the French capital and one of the great masterpieces of Gothic architecture. Its construction began in 1163 under the reign of Louis VII, and was completed in 1345. The architectural style was inspired by the trends of the time. The aim was to create a monumental church that would represent the greatness of God and the power of the French monarchy.

París.
Notre Dame is located on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris. This majestic church has witnessed nearly 900 years of history and has played a fundamental role in the religious, political and cultural life of France.

The interior of the cathedral is equally impressive. Its main nave reaches 35 metres in height, and the walls are decorated with a series of stained glass windows dating mainly from the 13th and 14th centuries. Throughout its history it has been the scene of historic events such as the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as emperor in 1804, and the beatification of Joan of Arc.