Performers and visitors to the famous gothic cathedral in the midst of the River Seine may find some subtle differences to the way sound bounces around its walls.

Restoring the cathedral, which he vowed to do within five years, has been a priority for Emmanuel Macron – even if he was forced to abandon a controversial early vision for a new, modern spire.

What is revealed with the restoration of Gothic architecture is a newfound appreciation for the many colours that these buildings were painted with. Many parts of Gothic cathedrals — especially ...