Xinhua News Agency, Paris, September 20 (Reporter Zhang Baihui) The north and south towers of Notre Dame Cathedral in France were officially reopened to the public on the 20th. This is the first time that the Notre Dame tower has resumed public visits since the fire broke out in 2019.

Following the reopening, the tower¡¯s sightseeing route was adjusted. Visitors entered from the bottom of the southern tower, climbed 424 steps and reached the 69-meter-high tower top platform, where they could enjoy the panoramic view of Paris and the ¡°rebirth¡± tower of the church. Afterwards, visitors could walk to the outdoor platform that connects the two towers in the south-north, to see the stone sculptures at the top of the Notre Dame¡¯s Cathedral and the restored wooden roof structure.

The reopening was held on the occasion of France¡¯s 42nd European Heritage Day, which was visited by French President Emmanuel Macron on the day before the reopening.

Since its reopening last December, Notre-Dame of Paris has received more than 8 million visitors. At present, visitors can enter the Notre-Dame Cathedral for free, but to visit the tower you need to buy tickets online in advance, the normal ticket price is 16 euros. According to French media reports, the tower receives a maximum of 400,000 visitors annually.

Built in the 12th century, Notre-Dame of Paris is one of the most representative monuments of France. On April 15, 2019, Notre-Dame of Paris was suddenly destroyed by a fire, with structures such as its roof and spire towers damaged and the tower then suspended. After five years of restoration, the cathedral's main object reopened last December, but the overall restoration work is still ongoing and is expected to last until around 2030.