The south tower now features an impressive double-helix staircase! Made from solid oak, this 178-step staircase will allow visitors to the towers to climb up through the center of the south tower belfry to access the bourdon, the cathedral’s famous largest bell, named Emmanuel, under the best safety conditions. They will also enjoy an exceptional view of the belfry’s spectacular wooden architecture.
At 21 m high, 3.6 m in diameter and weighing 20 tons, it is the biggest wooden double-helix staircase in the world! Under the architects’ direction, it involved 1,400 hours of studies and 9,200 hours of construction by a team of fifteen carpenters, three cabinet makers, three apprentices and one master wrought-iron worker.
It is made up of 1,200 pieces of oak, assembled one by one in the south tower, after a test fit in the workshop.
Tower visit circuit: Centre des monuments nationaux (Center for National Monuments)
