Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen on December 7, 2024, after extensive restoration following the devastating fire in April 2019. The event will feature a prestigious guest list, including heads of state and notable figures, and will include a concert and a presidential address. While some celebrities, like Pope Francis and singer Nicoletta, declined to attend, the evening promises elegance and celebration, marking the cathedral’s significant return.
The Grand Reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris
After a long five-year restoration journey, the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen its doors. The beloved structure, which suffered devastating damage in a fire in April 2019, is now nearing completion. President Emmanuel Macron had initially envisioned the grand reopening to coincide with the Paris Olympic Games held last summer; however, the highly anticipated event is now scheduled for December 7, 2024. This occasion will mark the return of the cathedral, which saw its roof collapse during the tragic fire. A special invitation list includes hundreds of notable figures, with former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy among those expected to attend, seated alongside their partners Julie Gayet and Carla Bruni.
A Star-Studded Guest List
The evening promises to be star-studded, with heads of state arriving in waves just before 7 PM. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received a warm welcome as he entered the cathedral. He had previously met with Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, alongside Donald Trump, who was without his wife, Melania. The British royal family was represented by Prince William, while Prince Albert II represented Monaco. The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, was also present, ready to perform the ceremonial act of striking the cathedral’s closed doors with his crozier before the congregation sang Psalm 121 three times.
Brigitte Macron opted for a look of elegance and simplicity in her all-black ensemble. Despite his recent resignation, Michel Barnier was among the guests, along with Jill Biden and Elon Musk. In contrast, Pope Francis decided against attending the event. Historian Jean-Baptiste Noé expressed reservations about becoming merely another figure in the spectacle, wary of being used for political image-building by Macron. The presidential couple warmly welcomed each guest, with Brigitte Macron donning a sophisticated three-quarter coat adorned with golden buttons, complemented by a scarf to fend off the winter chill. Observers on social media noted her refined choice of attire, with comments like “You can only see her” and “Nice coat.”
In an unexpected turn of events, television host Karine Le Marchand revealed that President Macron had turned down her proposal for a television project involving his wife. Le Marchand, known for her role in the series Love is in the Meadow and as a host on France has an incredible talent, had hoped to discuss the successful show Une ambition intime, which highlights political figures. Meanwhile, singer Nicoletta declined to participate in the festivities, despite being invited. During an appearance on Quotidien, she shared her past collaborations with political figures and expressed her desire to hear more from Emmanuel Macron. However, she felt that the President was not inclined to share his personal story, describing him as somewhat “robotic.”
As anticipated, the doors of Notre-Dame Cathedral opened early Saturday evening, with the presidential couple and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo being the last to enter. The event will include a film screening and a presidential address, alongside a concert featuring notable artists such as Clara Luciani, Vianney, Garou, and Angélique Kidjo, all recorded the day before due to the Darragh storm disrupting live performances. Interestingly, Nicoletta, who was initially invited, opted out due to technical difficulties that would have made it challenging for her and her choristers to perform, stating, “They wanted us to sing a gospel at 8:30 in the morning… I would have had to get up at 4 AM and I don’t put my choristers through that.”