From this Monday morning and throughout the summer, Notre-Dame de Paris will be rid of the gigantic heap of scrap metal which rises above its crossing. The scaffolding had been erected for work to restore the spire before the fire. On April 15, 2019, the flames collapsed this arrow. The scaffolding resisted but deformed. There remains a 200-ton structure, over 40 meters high, which must be gradually detached to be able to secure the cathedral and begin work on the structure. A colossal and perilous work.
"But I believe in miracles! I'm a priest, I'm here for that!"
"Ever since the fire, I have been impatiently awaiting this last phase of securing the cathedral. The dismantling of the scaffolding is such a delicate phase that the rector of the cathedral, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, holds his breath. Two teams of five specialized workers will descend over the Notre-Dame choir. Hanging on ropes, they will attack the saw ... the 40,000 pieces of metal melted by the fire, welded together. Without ever gripping, without unbalancing the structure, they will cut tubes, which the crane which overhangs Notre-Dame will evacuate.
"But I believe in miracles! I am a parish priest, I am here for that! When we are going to see this black mass disappear, well we are going to breathe! Because then we have to see what is below the 'scaffolding!' A broken vault, stones probably weakened. And a hope: that once the metal monster dismantled that the cathedral is saved.