Eight bells, weighing between 782 kilograms and over four tonnes, were returned to Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral on Thursday, September 12, marking a significant step in the restoration process.
The cathedral, which suffered severe damage in the 2019 fire, is set to reopen on December 7, five years after the blaze shook France and the world.
“These bells are the voice of the cathedral, the ones that ring every day,” said Philippe Jost, head of the Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris organization.
Their return, he noted, symbolizes hope and marks a new chapter for the iconic Parisian landmark. “It lets us look ahead to the rebirth of Notre-Dame,” he added, speaking to an audience of onlookers gathered to witness the momentous delivery.
The eight bells, ranging from the massive “Gabriel” weighing over 4.1 tonnes to the smallest “Jean-Marie” at 782 kilograms, were removed last July to facilitate the ongoing restoration work.
Notre-Dame’s rector, Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, planned to bless the bells later that day, paying tribute to their deep historical significance. Each bell is named after a notable figure linked to the cathedral’s history, further enhancing their symbolic importance.
The removal of the bells was a crucial part of the restoration process, as teams worked meticulously to repair the damage caused by the April 15, 2019, fire.
Cleaning the bells from lead dust, a byproduct of the church’s burning roof, was a delicate task. This restoration effort took place at the foundry in Normandy, where they were originally cast, before they were transported back to Paris.
Once restored to their place in the cathedral’s north tower, the bells will undergo tests in the coming weeks to ensure they are ready for the reopening. “The bells will be restored to their place in the belfry in the next two or three weeks and tested before the reopening,” Jost confirmed.
Notre-Dame’s full set of 20 bells, including two colossal “bourdons” in the south tower, produces a harmonious symphony that has marked major church events for centuries. These two massive bourdons, the largest weighing 13 tonnes, sound on important occasions such as Easter, Christmas, and significant papal events.
Originally completed in 1345 after nearly 200 years of construction, Notre-Dame Cathedral has stood as a symbol of Parisian heritage and global cultural significance. Prior to the fire, it attracted around 10 million visitors annually. The devastating blaze destroyed the spire and much of the roof, sparking an international outcry and pledges for its restoration.
Now, as the December reopening approaches, the return of the bells is a significant milestone in a broader effort to restore Notre-Dame to its former glory. Both Parisians and visitors alike eagerly await the day when the cathedral will once again welcome them with the timeless sound of its bells ringing out across the city.
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