Notre Dame's Bells Ring Again After Historic Rebuild

On Friday, a significant milestone was achieved in Paris as the bells of Notre Dame rang out for the first time since the devastating 2019 fire. This event marked the culmination of a five-year rebuild, led by French President Emmanuel Macron's commitment to restore the 861-year-old icon. The restoration was a global effort, involving skilled craftsmen and traditional tools. The project also required thousands of oak trees from across Europe, which were dried for up to 19 months before use. With 340, 000 donors from over 150 countries contributing, the reconstruction cost exceeded $900 million. Three new bells were installed, including one used at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Notre Dame will reopen next month with ceremonies starting on December 7. The cathedral now has 21 bells, each named after significant figures in the church's history. The cleaning and installation of these bells signify the painstaking effort to restore the landmark to its former glory.