On June 23, the first of 16 larger-than-life copper statues was reinstalled atop Notre-Dame Cathedral's spire, following a blessing from Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich. The statues, comprising the 12 apostles and four evangelist symbols, were originally installed in 1861 and had been safely removed days before the 2019 fire. After restoration by French company SOCRA, the statues are being returned in stages, with completion expected by July.
This milestone marks a significant step in Notre-Dame's roughly $900 million reconstruction, nearly six years after the devastating fire. The return of the statues—particularly Saint Thomas, modeled after the cathedral's 19th-century architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc—symbolizes the careful balance between historical fidelity and modern restoration. The project highlights the broader cultural and religious importance of Notre-Dame as a global heritage icon, while demonstrating the technical and logistical challenges of rebuilding a medieval masterpiece.