After five years of extensive restoration following the devastating fire in April 2019, the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris will officially reopen its doors this Saturday evening. The fire, which spread rapidly due to the wooden structure of the roof, resulted in the destruction of the iconic spire and two-thirds of the roof, damaging the interior vaults and destroying numerous artworks and religious relics. Fortunately, the overall structure of the cathedral remained intact.
During the restoration, a new spire and ribbed vault were constructed, alongside the renovation of flying buttresses, carved stone gargoyles, and various white stone decorations within the cathedral. As a result, Notre-Dame now appears significantly brighter and more “refined” than before the fire. The reopening ceremony will take place inside the cathedral at approximately 7 PM, having been moved indoors due to strong and cold winds in Paris, which made the original outdoor venue unfeasible.
The event will be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, who will deliver a speech, along with several other heads of state and international political figures, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella, British Prince William, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and current U.S. First Lady Jill Biden. Notably absent will be Pope Francis, a decision that has sparked considerable media discussion in France. The cathedral will open to the public on Sunday, December 8, from 5:30 PM to 8 PM, but long lines are expected in the initial weeks. Visitors can reserve free tickets for specific time slots on the cathedral’s website or app, and a physical queue will be available for those wishing to enter without a reservation, although group bookings will not be available until February 1.
