• Notre Dame's towers reopened to the public after extensive restorations post-fire.
• Reopening marks a significant milestone in reconstruction efforts led by President Macron.
• Visitors can now enjoy 424 stairs of breathtaking views across Paris.
• Ticket sales for tower access sold out quickly, indicating high public interest.
• Ongoing renovations include additional repairs unrelated to the 2019 fire damage.

French President Emmanuel Macron reopened the iconic towers of Notre Dame in Paris on Friday, nearly six and a half years after a devastating fire engulfed the cathedral on April 15, 2019. This reopening marks a significant step in the ambitious reconstruction project, which saw the reopening of the cathedral itself on December 7, 2024. At that event, prominent figures, including US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, were in attendance, as reported by ABC News, The Local, and CBS News.

The inauguration of the restored towers allows the public to finally climb 424 stairs for breathtaking views of Paris. Macron personally led the tour of the new facilities, which include enhanced viewpoints of the cathedral's famous gargoyles, emphasizing that "the cathedral is regaining all its splendour." Ticket sales for the weekend opening quickly sold out, indicating robust visitor interest, as noted by several sources including The Local and CBS News.

The restoration project incurred costs exceeding €700 million, financed through donations and facing numerous challenges, such as lead contamination and the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers also implemented modern safety measures to mitigate future fire risks. Philippe Jost, Macron's pointman on the project, noted, "Our ambition now is to complete a full restoration of the cathedral," reflecting ongoing repairs unrelated to the fire, according to The Local and CBS News.