The cathedral is set to welcome millions of visitors when it reopens in December, marking its first public access since the tragic fire in 2019.
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris will officially open its doors again on December 7, five years after the devastating blaze, with a ceremony broadcast worldwide, followed by various Masses, concerts, and events as announced by officials on Wednesday.
Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris expressed at a press briefing that the reopening would restore the church’s central role in community life.
Last week marked a significant moment as the cathedral’s bells rang together for the first time since the fire incident in April 2019. The Catholic community in France is particularly excited to once again host visitors from around the globe within the cathedral’s walls.
Upon reopening, it is anticipated that Notre-Dame will attract approximately 14 to 15 million visitors annually—making it one of the most frequented sites worldwide prior to its closure due to fire damage. During a religious ceremony attended by Catholic leaders, international dignitaries, and benefactors who supported the restoration efforts, Archbishop Ulrich will ceremonially reopen the doors using his staff.
President Emmanuel Macron is expected to deliver brief remarks outside before this event and participate in a concert afterward; however, his potential address inside had previously drawn criticism regarding France’s strict secularism laws.
The first Mass post-reopening is scheduled for December 8 to bless an altar that will house relics from various saints; both Mr. Macron and around 170 bishops from across France and beyond are likely attendees.
A public Mass will follow later that day when visitors can enter Notre-Dame for their first look since April 15, 2019—when flames devastated its wooden structure and iconic spire while threatening overall stability.
While it’s premature to announce specific attendees for these ceremonies—Pope Francis has confirmed he will not be present—renovation efforts will continue past December but are seen as nearing completion after overcoming obstacles like COVID-19 lockdowns and concerns about lead contamination from the fire.
Olivier Ribadeau-Dumas, rector of Notre-Dame stated at Wednesday’s conference that meeting this five-year challenge demonstrates what can be accomplished through unity around shared objectives during uncertain times.
Following reopening festivities spanning over a week—including special Masses honoring firefighters who protected the structure along with approximately 2,000 workers involved in restoration—the cathedral plans afternoon openings until late evening before returning gradually to regular hours.
To facilitate visitor management within an interior now free of ash and debris accumulated over centuries, a no-cost online reservation system alongside a smartphone app guide will be implemented; initially allowing only individual visits while group tours won’t commence until spring 2025.
Last month saw France’s culture minister propose instituting an entrance fee for tourists as means of supporting maintenance costs associated with numerous churches nationwide; however Archbishop Ulrich reiterated on Wednesday that French Catholic authorities firmly oppose this notion. Although ownership lies with the French state, operational oversight rests with French Catholic leadership.
Mr. Macron’s administration framed this reopening as another triumph following successful organization efforts related to Paris hosting the upcoming Summer Olympics in 2024.
Since after-the-fire fundraising efforts have garnered roughly €843 million (nearly $900 million) from about 340,000 donors—with most funds directed towards restoration initiatives thus far—around €143 million remains earmarked for ongoing exterior work including enhancements on elements such as sacristy structures or flying buttresses which could take an additional three years.
Philippe Jost—a leader within reconstruction tasks—noted at Wednesday’s briefing that prior conditions were less than ideal leading up to disaster; thus scaffolding may remain visible during future visits while investigations into fire origins continue without certainty regarding conclusive causes—the prevailing theories suggest either electrical malfunction or improperly discarded cigarette embers might have ignited flames.