This weekend, Notre-Dame de Paris will ceremonially reopen after a five-year restoration following a devastating fire. President Macron will celebrate with distinguished guests, including Prince William. The reopening ceremony will feature a service led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, followed by a concert with renowned artists. The public can visit starting December 8, with special events leading up to regular operations on December 16. The cathedral’s bells rang for the first time since the fire earlier this month.
Notre-Dame de Paris: A Grand Reopening After Five Years
This weekend marks a significant milestone as the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral will ceremonially open its doors once again, five years after the tragic fire that engulfed its wooden roof and led to the collapse of its iconic tower. In April 2019, France’s President Emmanuel Macron pledged to restore this national treasure within five years, and now he prepares to celebrate this achievement with a distinguished guest list that includes Prince William of Great Britain.
Royal Attendance and Notable Guests
Kensington Palace has confirmed that Prince William will attend the reopening ceremony on Saturday, reflecting the British royal family’s ongoing support for the restoration. Last year, King Charles also paid a visit to Notre-Dame to witness the progress of the restoration efforts. Approximately 2,000 skilled craftsmen, artists, sculptors, and engineers have dedicated their talents to the reconstruction, which has cost an estimated €700 million.
The reopening ceremony will kick off with a service led by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich at 7 PM, where President Macron will address the attendees alongside Prince William and several heads of state. Before entering the cathedral, Macron will deliver a brief speech in the courtyard to mark this historic occasion.
Among the distinguished guests expected to join the ceremony are German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, as well as former US President Donald Trump. Additionally, Prince Albert II of Monaco and the kings of Morocco and Jordan are anticipated to be present, while Pope Francis will not be attending.
Following the service, the night will continue with a star-studded concert featuring renowned artists from various music genres. Highlights include performances by opera singers Nadine Sierra, Pretty Yende, and Benjamin Bernheim, as well as US rapper Pharrell Williams and celebrated singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo. The concert, scheduled for 9 PM, will also feature illustrious musicians such as pianists Lang Lang and Khatia Buniatishvili, organist Olivier Latry, violinists Renaud Capuçon and Daniel Lozakovich, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, with Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.
On December 8, the general public will have the chance to experience the magic of Notre-Dame as it reopens its doors. The day will commence with another mass, including the consecration of the new altar, followed by a series of special events throughout the week leading up to the cathedral’s regular operations starting December 16.
Notably, the bells of Notre-Dame rang out across Paris for the first time since the 2019 fire at the beginning of November, heralding a new chapter for this beloved landmark as it prepares for a grand reopening.