Five years after the devastating fire that ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral and nearly a year since its reopening to the public, the iconic towers are finally returning to service. The European Heritage Days on September 20-21, 2025, provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate this momentous event with the unveiling of one of Europe's most ingenious staircases.

Closed to the world since April 2019 and reserved only for the hands of builders, Notre-Dame's steps are finally ready to vibrate once again under the footsteps of curious visitors. The centerpiece of this reopening is an extraordinary new double-revolution staircase that represents a masterpiece of craftsmanship and engineering.

This architectural marvel required more than 1,400 hours of planning by architects and an incredible 9,200 hours of construction by a dedicated team consisting of fifteen carpenters, three joiners, three apprentices, and one artistic ironworker. Standing 21 meters high and composed of 1,200 oak pieces, the staircase has been assembled progressively, piece by piece, since February of this year.

This masterful work has brought to life a unique double-revolution staircase, the only one of its kind in the world, inspired by the famous staircase at Château de Chambord designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The staircase's remarkable feature lies in its ingenious design: located at the heart of the south tower's belfry, visitor flows cross paths without anyone physically brushing against each other.

After climbing its 178 wooden steps, visitors are rewarded with the sight of the Emmanuel bell, the cathedral's largest bell, standing as a magnificent prize after the modest effort of the ascent. This new route through the towers offers visitors unprecedented access beneath the belfry's framework, providing a unique experience of Notre-Dame's architecture.

The climb up Notre-Dame's towers grants visitors another extraordinary privilege: the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of Paris while offering a special salute to the famous gargoyles. From the heights of Notre-Dame's towers, the panoramic view over Paris and its gargoyles leaves visitors speechless with wonder.

This 42nd edition of Heritage Days offers exceptional free access to the towers, though slots were immediately overwhelmed as all time slots are already fully booked. To ensure a quality visit in a secure environment, capacity has been limited to one to two visitors per minute. Those who won't have the chance to climb this weekend can find consolation in knowing that the first Sundays of certain periods (January 1-March 31 and November 1-December 31) will offer free access throughout the year.

The reopening of Notre-Dame's towers with this revolutionary staircase marks not just a return to normalcy but an enhancement of the visitor experience, combining historical preservation with innovative design to create something truly extraordinary for future generations to enjoy.