On December 8, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen to the public after suffering extensive damage from a fire five years ago.
The restoration process involved meticulous work, with eight restored bells in the northern belfry already ringing in anticipation of the cathedral's return. Visitors will find an interior featuring pristine limestone walls, contemporary liturgical furnishings, restored religious artworks from the 17th and 18th centuries, and a new cedar reliquary for the crown of thorns, a relic associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Despite President Emmanuel Macron's pledge to reopen the 860-year-old Gothic structure within five years, the journey to this point was challenging, according to Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, Notre-Dame’s rector. The restoration effort involved nearly 2,000 workers and artisans, alongside hundreds of thousands of donations.
“If we remain united and mobilized around a common goal, we are capable of achieving the impossible,” Mr. Ribadeau-Dumas stated.
Prior to the fire, the cathedral attracted around 12 million visitors annually. Following the reopening, more than 40,000 visitors are expected each day. While entry to the cathedral will remain free, visitors must make online reservations in advance.
Reopening ceremonies will commence on December 7, with in-person attendance limited to government officials, patrons, clergy, and invited guests. However, the public can follow the events on large screens set up in the forecourt and surrounding areas. The ceremony will include organ music and a symbolic opening by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, and will be broadcast globally.
The first public visit opportunity will be on December 8, during the 6:30 p.m. Mass.
To facilitate visits, a free online reservation system will be introduced in early December through the official cathedral website and a mobile app. The Notre-Dame de Paris app will be available in multiple languages and will allow visitors to book slots and access self-guided tours.
Reservations can be made starting two days before a visit, with guests required to arrive five minutes prior to their time slot. Visitors without reservations may face wait times of two to three hours, as entry will be limited to 2,700 people at any given time.
For those unable to enter, free guided tours of the cathedral's exterior will be offered starting December 9.
Following the inaugural Mass, daily Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. until December 15. A special ceremony returning the crown of thorns to the cathedral will take place on December 13, and the final Mass on December 15 will honor the Paris fire department and restoration workers.
Operating hours for the public will be from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. from December 9 to December 13, and from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 14 and 15. Starting December 16, Notre-Dame will resume its pre-fire hours of 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Initially, visits will be open to individuals and families, with religious pilgrims welcomed beginning in February, followed by tour groups in June.
Visitors will enter through the central Portal of the Last Judgment and will navigate through new pathways featuring contemporary stained-glass windows, with further enhancements expected by 2026.
In addition to the reopening, a holiday market will be held across from the cathedral, and an exhibition on medieval sculptures will be available at the Musée de Cluny until March 16. The cathedral's return will be celebrated with a concert series featuring nearly 50 performances throughout the year, alongside ongoing renovations expected to conclude by 2028.
These renovations will include the restoration of the facade, the addition of a new visitor center, and enhancements to the public spaces surrounding the cathedral.