In 2019, the world cultural heritage site “Notre-Dame de Paris” suffered a catastrophic fire, with the roof and spire of the cathedral severely damaged. After more than five years of careful restoration, the cathedral will hold a grand reopening ceremony on December 7th and 8th, with official public opening starting from the 8th.
According to media reports, the French government plans to hold the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame de Paris in the evening of December 7th. It will begin with a speech by President Macron in the forecourt of the cathedral, followed by a religious ceremony inside the church. After the ceremony, a grand concert will take place. The following day will see the consecration ceremony at the altar and the first mass after the reopening. From the evening of the 7th until the 15th, there will be daily celebration events with different themes.
Noteworthy is the splendid light show that took place on the eve of the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris on the evening of December 6th, attracting many local residents and tourists to stop and watch.
Located on the banks of the Seine River, Notre-Dame de Paris is one of France’s most iconic buildings, with nearly 900 years of history as a Gothic masterpiece. It is also one of the most beloved and visited landmarks in Paris. However, on April 15, 2019, a 12-hour-long fire destroyed its roof and spire, fortunately leaving the main structure intact. After the fire, President Macron pledged to restore the cathedral within five years to make it “more beautiful than ever.”
After five years of extensive reconstruction efforts, the cathedral’s spire, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, stained glass windows, and gargoyles have all been restored to their former glory. The newly restored soaring ceilings and the pristine white stone carvings undoubtedly captivate the eye. The total cost of this restoration project is estimated to be around 700 million euros.
Prior to the fire, approximately 12 million people visited Notre-Dame de Paris each year. With the reopening, it is expected that the number of visitors will increase significantly, with over 40,000 people estimated to visit daily.