Massive statues are set to make their return to the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral as the restoration project reaches a new and significant milestone.
The long-awaited return of giant statues to the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral marks a powerful symbol of rebirth and resilience for one of the world’s most iconic architectural landmarks. Ever since the devastating fire that swept through the Parisian cathedral on April 15, 2019, efforts to restore Notre Dame have captivated the world’s attention. Now, with this new phase of the restoration project underway, the return of the towering statues signals not just architectural progress but a deeply emotional moment for Parisians and admirers around the globe who see Notre Dame as a cultural and spiritual beacon.
These statues, representing the Twelve Apostles and other religious figures, once stood proudly at the base of the spire, gazing outward across the Paris skyline. They were removed for cleaning and conservation work just days before the fire broke out, a twist of fate that ultimately spared them from destruction. At the time, the removal was considered a minor part of the broader renovation that was planned for the cathedral’s aging spire. But when the fire struck, consuming the spire in a fiery collapse that stunned millions, the absence of the statues became a symbol of both loss and providence. Had they not been taken down, they would have been destroyed along with the 19th-century spire designed by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.
Now, five years after the catastrophe, those same statues—or faithful reproductions of them—are being returned to their rightful place as the cathedral’s spire is rebuilt stone by stone, copper sheet by copper sheet. The work is being carried out with extraordinary precision, involving teams of artisans, sculptors, historians, engineers, and craftspeople who are dedicated to recreating the original design as accurately as possible. The restoration of the spire itself has been one of the most technically complex parts of the entire project, requiring not only historical accuracy but modern engineering to ensure that it meets current safety standards and can withstand the challenges of climate and time.
Each statue is a work of art in its own right, standing over ten feet tall and constructed from hammered copper. They were originally crafted in the 19th century as part of Viollet-le-Duc’s controversial but now beloved reinterpretation of the medieval cathedral. Viollet-le-Duc added the spire and statues during a massive restoration campaign that began after Notre Dame had fallen into disrepair following the French Revolution. At the time, his additions were not without critics, who argued that they represented a romanticized vision of the Middle Ages rather than an authentic preservation of the cathedral’s original state. Today, however, those elements are considered integral to the character of Notre Dame and to the image that generations of visitors have come to recognize.
The return of the statues carries with it not only artistic significance but spiritual meaning as well. The figures include saints and apostles, each one symbolically oriented around the spire to face outward in different directions. At the center of them all is a statue of Saint Thomas, the patron saint of architects, which is modeled in part after Viollet-le-Duc himself. This statue is notable for its introspective posture and for gazing toward the spire as if in contemplation of the work he inspired. For many, the return of this statue in particular is a poignant reminder of the enduring vision behind Notre Dame’s evolution over the centuries.
The process of returning the statues has been meticulously planned. In the months leading up to their reinstallation, conservationists worked tirelessly to ensure that each figure was structurally sound and aesthetically faithful to its original appearance. Some statues had sustained minor damage during their removal or transport, requiring delicate repairs using traditional techniques. Where reproductions were necessary, artisans turned to 3D scans and historical photographs to replicate the original features with remarkable fidelity. These statues are not merely decorative elements; they are guardians of the cathedral, embodiments of the religious and cultural legacy that Notre Dame represents.
As the statues are lifted by crane and positioned onto the new spire, they are accompanied by a sense of collective reverence and national pride. For France, the restoration of Notre Dame has been about more than reconstructing a building—it has been about healing a wound inflicted on the national psyche. In the aftermath of the fire, there was an outpouring of grief and solidarity from around the world. Donations poured in from private citizens, companies, and governments, raising nearly a billion euros to fund the restoration. The effort became a global rallying cry for cultural preservation, and each phase of the rebuilding has been watched with hopeful anticipation.
French President Emmanuel Macron set an ambitious goal in the days after the fire: to rebuild Notre Dame within five years. While some experts were skeptical of such a tight timeline given the complexity of the work, the project has moved forward with impressive speed and discipline. The return of the statues marks a major step toward meeting that goal. It also reinforces the commitment to not just rebuild quickly, but to rebuild well—with respect for the past and confidence in the future.
One of the remarkable aspects of the restoration is the collaboration it has fostered between modern technology and traditional craftsmanship. While the original cathedral was built using medieval tools and techniques, the current restoration has made use of laser scanning, digital modeling, and robotic tools to assist in the planning and execution. At the same time, the actual labor—carving stone, shaping wood, and hammering copper—has been carried out by master artisans trained in centuries-old methods. This blending of old and new reflects Notre Dame’s own identity as a bridge between eras, a living monument to both continuity and innovation.
For Parisians, the return of the statues also brings back a sense of familiarity to the city’s skyline. The absence of the spire has left a visible void that many have felt on a personal level. Seeing the statues rise once more, their silhouettes etched against the sky, brings with it a feeling of return—not just of physical structures, but of spirit and identity. The cathedral, which has stood at the heart of Paris for over 850 years, is resuming its role as a symbol of endurance and grace.
Tourists and locals alike have begun to gather near the construction site, watching as cranes maneuver the massive figures into place. The scene evokes a sense of wonder and solemnity, as if witnessing a kind of resurrection. Some visitors have come specifically to see this moment, aware of its historical significance. Others stumble upon it, caught by surprise, and find themselves drawn into the emotion of the occasion. For many, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—an opportunity to see history being made.
The restored spire, complete with its circle of apostles and saints, is expected to be finished by the end of 2025, aligning with the broader timeline for reopening the cathedral to the public. Once complete, Notre Dame will not simply be a repaired version of its former self. It will be renewed, reenergized by the ordeal it has survived and by the unity it has inspired. The return of the statues is a visual representation of that renewal. They stand as sentinels over a city that has endured wars, revolutions, and now fire—and that continues to rise again.
In the years to come, the story of Notre Dame’s restoration will be told in books, documentaries, and perhaps even in fictional accounts. But for those involved in the project and those who have followed it closely, it is the small details—the patient carving of stone, the delicate handling of a statue’s copper robes, the moment a figure is bolted into place atop a scaffold—that will linger in memory. These details remind us that history is not only recorded in grand events, but in the careful hands of those who preserve its monuments.
As the giant statues return to Notre Dame’s spire, they do more than adorn a building—they embody the soul of a structure that has been central to French identity for centuries. They look outward, as they always have, over the city of Paris. But this time, their presence carries the added weight of triumph over tragedy, of continuity after collapse. Their return is not just part of the restoration; it is a celebration of everything Notre Dame represents: faith, art, history, and the unbreakable will to rebuild.
