French President Emmanuel Macron recently visited the refurbished Notre Dame Cathedral, starting his tour at the front of the site. He engaged in discussions with officials such as Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Philippe Jost from the Rebuild Notre Dame project, and Bas Smets, the architect and landscaper responsible for designing the courtyard.
The French government has outlined three primary objectives for the reconstruction of the areas surrounding the cathedral's entrance. These goals include enhancing the beauty of Notre Dame and its surroundings, adapting the site and neighborhood to address climate change, and improving the reception and experience for visitors from across the globe.
The new courtyard is set to include a square where visitors can gather before entering the cathedral, a reception space located beneath the square, a renovated entrance on Quai de Seine, and a panoramic viewpoint. Additionally, a limestone pavement leading into the church will serve as a reminder of the efforts made to extinguish the fire from the park, as highlighted by Jost.
It is important to note that while the restoration work is ongoing, the redevelopment of the surrounding area is scheduled to commence next year and is expected to be completed by 2030.
