The two Gothic towers of Notre Dame in Paris have opened to the public, nine months after the cathedral reopened its doors.
The towers have been comprehensively renovated, and now feature a 20-tonne double spiral staircase made of solid oak that rises over 21 metres inside the southern tower.
At the top of the staircase, visitors can see the famous bells, Emmanuel and Marie, up close for the first time.
The 69-metre-high towers, accessed by climbing 424 steps, have survived a series of wars, revolutions and other upheavals since the 13th century – most recently the devastating fire in April 2019.
While the flames severely damaged the iconic landmark, the towers remained largely unscathed six years ago.
Their reopening on Saturday marks the final major phase of Notre Dame’s reconstruction since the fire.
Visitors can now also explore the cistern courtyard, where large rainwater reservoirs stood in the 18th century, for the first time. The courtyard connects the two towers and offers new views of the cathedral and the rooftops of Paris.
https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/notre-dame-towers-welcome-visitors-again-in-paris-c-20091472
