ParisRebirth of Notre-Dame de Paris:Eiffage Construction at the heart of the restoration

An emblematic reconstruction

A stonemason from Pradeau Morin Monuments Historiques

8 December 2024 marked a historic date: the reopening of the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, a jewel of French heritage.

After four years of closure and major restoration works, Eiffage Construction is proud to have contributed to this emblematic reconstruction through our subsidiary Pradeau Morin Monuments Historiques.

Faithful and meticulous restoration

Installation of a gargoyle on Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris by Pradeau Morin workers
© Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris

In April 2022, our staff removed the existing balustrades from the north and south transepts before restoring the glaze that supported them.

Precise, meticulous work then followed to install the new balustrades.

To achieve this, our experts drew on ancestral know-how, such as lead casting.

Our experts also worked on the South Nave, on the installation of the Angel on the West gable and on the north east corner of the South Tower.

The expertise of our stonemasons:

Then came the skills of the stone cutters.

The blocks of stone, from the Aisne region, were cut in the workshop and then brought to the site to be laid by hand and cast with lead, before the finishing touches were applied directly on site.

And this was no simple matter, since to respect the specific fretted appearance of the stones, our teams had to recreate a specific tool, as the original tool no longer exists!

In all, 120 m3 of new stone were laid by our teams!

Exceptional coordination for an emblematic renovation

Working on the restoration of Notre-Dame also meant taking on a colossal logistical challenge.

With dozens of companies on site, from archaeologists to master glass makers, each stage had to be planned precisely to meet incompressible deadlines.

« In addition to the 13th-century techniques with which we are familiar, this project had other distinctive features. The large number of people involved, the meticulous organisation and the monument's reputation made this project truly unique! » points out Frédéric Létoffé, Director of Pradeau Morin Monuments Historiques.

A source of pride for our teams

Over and above the technical and logistical challenges, this restoration project left a lasting impression on all the workforce involved.

Working on such a symbol is an immense source of pride. Our workers were extraordinarily motivated by the idea of helping to restore Notre-Dame to its former glory and to its central place in the hearts of French people and visitors from all over the world.

Through the commitment and expertise of our staff, Notre-Dame de Paris, restored with respect for its history and architecture, is now ready to write a new chapter in its legend.

Project participants

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