Alongside his wife, Brigitte, and the archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, the French president was shown around the rebuilt medieval cathedral on Friday morning by Philippe Villeneuve, the chief architect of France's national monuments.

Inside the light-filled halls, Macron took in the Clôture Nord du Chœur, a sculpted wall depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ, and marvelled at the famous rose windows, now cleansed of the crud that had amassed in its corners over generations.

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Before a devastating 2019 blaze ravaged the landmark, Notre Dame was among the most visited buildings in Europe. Once the cathedral reopens on December 7 and 8, 14 to 15 million visitors a year are expected to visit.

But where tourists to London's St Paul's have to pay 25 pounds (NZ$54) and non-praying visitors to Milan's Duomo need to pay at least 10 euros (NZ$18), those wishing to marvel at France's most famous religious building could previously do so without opening their wallets.

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According to the Archdiocese of Paris, free access to churches and cathedrals is rooted in a 1905 law separating church and state. Additionally, the church's mission is to welcome everyone, regardless of background, faith, ideology, or financial situation.

Notre Dame has always treated pilgrims and other visitors alike, allowing access even during services. Given the layout of the premises, restricting access would be difficult and would interfere with visitors expressing their "unshakeable attachment to Notre Dame."

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As scaffolding has largely been removed from the outside structure, the inside renovation work continues at full speed to finish it on time for the most anticipated church event of the decade in the French capital.

Those involved in the reconstruction told OSV News that anyone who enters the cathedral testifies to their amazement and wonder at the new luminosity of the interior, thanks to the restoration of the limestone blocks, which have regained their blond hue.

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