The extensive damage to the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris was on display when French culture minister visited the site to view renovation efforts. The structure is still being secured and cleared before rebuilding can begin.
French television showed the chief architect of France's historic monuments, Philippe Villeneuve, taking Culture Minister Franck Riester on a tour Wednesday of the cathedral, which President Emmanuel Macron wants restored in five years.Wooden supporting arches are being placed under the 28 buttresses, without anchoring them in stone. A robot was helping to clear debris on the lower level of the cathedral.
The minister said that the safety and quality of the restoration"is what counts" despite the goal of finishing the repairs by 2024.