French president Emmanuel Macron has promised to rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral in time for the Paris 2024 Olympics, but experts warn it is likely to take at least 10 years.
In a televised statement last night, Macron doubled down on his promise to swiftly repair the historic cathedral, which suffered extensive damage in the fire earlier this week. He said it could be rebuilt "even more beautifully" in just five years.
However, with the extent of the damage still being assessed, experts have told Dezeen that the process is likely to take far longer.
"These are undertakings that may take a decade or two, or this restoration may outlast most of us. And I think that we have to be prepared for that," said Thomas Leslie, professor of architecture at Iowa State University. "Our lifetimes are very short compared with the lives of the cathedral," he told Dezeen. "Many of us may have seen Notre-Dame for the last time."
"Wouldn't be surprised if it took a decade"
Over ?800 million (£694 million) of donations have now been pledged to repair the UNESCO-listed landmark, which was ablaze for nine hours before firefighters were able to get the fire under control. Donors include Apple, L'Oreal and LVMH.
The wood and lead roof was largely destroyed, the 90-metre-high spire collapsed and the interior suffered extensive damage. However the main structure survived the blaze largely intact.
According to reports, this was a close-run situatio...