The Notre Dame Cathedral reopens today, five and a half years after being severely damaged by a devastating fire that destroyed its spire and ceiling and nearly led to the complete collapse of this masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
The 860-year-old medieval cathedral, a symbol of both France and Paris, has been painstakingly restored. With a new spire and roof, it has regained its former glory, and its white and gold ornaments shine brighter than ever.
Emmanuel Macron will welcome U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and dozens of heads of state and government, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to the reopening ceremony of the church, scheduled to begin around 7 p.m. (local time).
Late yesterday evening, Friday, the office of Macron and the Archdiocese of Paris announced that, due to strong winds, all ceremonies will be held inside the church. Macron had originally planned to deliver a speech outside the church.
“I’m afraid I might collapse when I walk in because it will be so moving,” said Cecilia de Vargas, a member of the choir participating in the church’s reopening ceremony.
“Despite the horror of what happened, there is a positive side when you see how everyone, especially the French people, came together to rebuild the cathedral so quickly.”
“Many people told me, ‘Give us back the cathedral as it was.’ “But it will be even more beautiful,” promised Catholic Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, speaking to the Agence France-Presse.
Donald Trump has landed in Paris
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump landed in Paris this morning, just before 7:00 a.m. (local time), to attend the Notre Dame reopening events, according to a source at the airport.
According to another airport source, he traveled on a private plane, as he is not yet authorized to use the aircraft of the U.S. presidency. In the afternoon, Donald Trump, on his first trip abroad since his election on November 5, will be received at the Élysée Palace.
On his platform, Truth Social, the Republican billionaire announced his trip to Paris on Monday, praising French President Emmanuel Macron, who, according to Trump, “did a remarkable job ensuring that Notre-Dame was restored in a way that allowed her to regain all its glory and even more.”
Trump did not specify whether he plans to hold talks with other leaders, but the French presidency has announced that Donald Trump will be received at the Élysée Palace by the French President, who will later welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
It is unclear whether the Republican billionaire, who has been highly critical of the billions of dollars allocated by the U.S. for Ukraine, will hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart.
Restored temple opens to visitors
Thousands of skilled craftspeople, including carpenters, stonemasons, and stained-glass artists, have been working tirelessly over the past five years, using traditional methods to restore, repair, or replace what was destroyed or damaged.
“Notre-Dame is more than just a Parisian or French monument. It is also a world monument,” said historian Damian Byrne.
“It is a milestone, an emblem, a point of reference that provides reassurance in a globalized world where everything is constantly evolving,” says Bern, a member of the scientific council for the restoration of Notre-Dame.
The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid in 1163, with construction continuing into the following century. It was later restored and expanded during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Victor Hugo helped establish the cathedral as a symbol of both Paris and France when he used it as the setting for his 1831 novel “Notre-Dame de Paris.” Quasimodo, the novel’s central character, has been featured in Hollywood films, a Disney animated movie, and musicals.
An impressive amount of money was raised for its restoration from around the world—more than 840 million euros, according to Macron’s office—leaving additional funds available for further investment in the building.
The Catholic Church now anticipates that the cathedral will welcome approximately 15 million visitors annually.
Visitation will be possible tomorrow evening from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., though long queues of visitors are expected.
The cathedral announced that, starting today, visitors can book a free ticket online through its website, social media platforms, or a dedicated application. Tickets can be reserved for same-day entry or for one to two days after booking. A queue will also be available on-site for those wishing to enter without a prior booking. Groups will be accepted starting next year—beginning February 1 for pilgrims from religious organizations and June 9 for tourists accompanied by guides.
