The towers of Notre-Dame open to the public for the European Heritage Days

Six years after the fire that ravaged the cathedral and nine months after the nave was reopened to the public, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is reopening its towers.

From this Saturday, September 20, as part of the European Heritage Days, visitors will once again be able to climb to the top of the towers, which were completely restored after the fire that ravaged the majestic church in 2019.

French President Emmanuel Macron was the first to climb to the roof of the cathedral the day before to celebrate the reopening.

The tour of the towers, suspended following the fire on 15 April 2019, has been completely reorganised and redesigned.

Lasting around 45 minutes, it begins with the south tower and leads up to the bell tower, which was previously hidden thanks to the construction of a grand double staircase in solid oak.

Inspired by the Château de Chambord, the staircase ensures that those ascending and descending do not pass each other. Specially designed for the reopening, this staircase was built "with absolute respect for the space in which it is housed. It's a real technical and aesthetic feat," explained Philippe Jost, President of the Notre-Dame public institution, to France Bleu.

It's a masterpiece that's unique in the world, designed in workshops in Normandy: 10,000 hours of work and 1,200 pieces of wood for a 21-metre-high structure that had to be reassembled inside the tower. A feat accomplished by 45 young, passionate carpenters.

424 steps to reach a height of 69 m

For the comfort of a breathtaking view of Paris from the 69-metre-high terraces, you will have to make an effort by climbing the 424 steps.

Other "prizes," if you like, for the persevering are the cathedral's two main bells, including Emmanuel, which weigh in at over 13 tonnes and are only rung on major occasions.

And finally, visitors can discover the Cour des citernes, which separates the two towers, from where they can admire the 'forest,' the framework rebuilt after being devastated by the flames.

"When you're outside, you can't imagine that there's a real forest of wood there too," Philippe Villeneuve, chief architect of historic monuments, told Franceinfo. Adding that the famous gargoyles and the spire are also visible from an unbeatable distance.

Nine people at a time, as Heritage Day bookings sell out fast

To access the tours, you need a ticket, and only 9 people can enter at a time.

So it's hardly surprising that, according to the Centre des monuments nationaux, tickets for the two days of the Heritage Days sold out in just 24 minutes.

"We opened for the Heritage Days. Within a few dozen minutes, everything was already booked up," Marie Lavandier, President of the Centre, told Franceinfo.

More than eight million visitors have already visited the cathedral since it was reopened. While the cathedral is free to visit, the towers cost €16. They can be visited seven days a week and are currently open until 11 pm.