Notre-Dame is not yet safe for its restoration to begin

Paris - The Gothic cathedral Notre-Dame in Paris, which was seriously damaged by a large fire in April, is still not safe enough to begin its reconstruction. This was stated today, according to the AP agency, by the cathedral's chief architect Philippe Villeneuve.

French television aired footage showing Villeneuve walking through the cathedral with Culture Minister Franck Riester. "The site still needs to be secured," the French architect said. Wooden supports are being placed under 28 flying buttresses, and a robot is assisting with clearing and cleaning the area. According to the French Culture Minister, the focus should be on "safety and quality of restoration" and not just on the year 2024, when the reconstruction is expected to be completed.

The cathedral caught fire on April 15 and lost its roof and slender 19th-century spire. The fire also damaged part of the vault and the roofing. President Emmanuel Macron then stated that he hoped the renowned Gothic monument would be restored within five years. However, many experts consider this impossible.

Critics argue that the intention of the head of the Élysée Palace is primarily motivated by the desire to repair the cathedral before the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.