In the middle of one delicate political crisis, with the Barnier government falls after just three months and waiting for meet the new prime minister, world attention remains focused on France and Paris. Today, December 7, the President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to celebrate one of the most symbolic moments of his mandate: the reopening of Notre Dame.
The Cathedral, one of the main symbols of the French capital, had been devastated by fire on 15 April 2019. After an impressive restoration work, cost approximately 700 million euro, has been restored to its former glory, keeping Macron's promise to return it to France by 2024. An undertaking that is not limited to physical reconstruction, but takes on a profound meaning of resilience and hope in a time of uncertainty for the country.
The president, who five years ago had guaranteed that Notre-Dame would be reborn, will preside over a solemn ceremony which will be attended by heads of state and prominent figures from all over the world, including the newly elected president Donald Trump, President Sergio Mattarella and the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. The only discordant note for “Le président” will be theabsence of Pope Francis in an event with a strong symbolic value.
Let's see some curiosities about the ceremony and the rebirth of Notre-Dame, a symbol not only of France but of the world's cultural heritage.
Who will attend: Trump and Mattarella are there, the Pope is missing
At the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame, Paris prepares to welcome around 50 heads of state and government. Among the most important guests are the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, who will participate in his first trip abroad after the elections. Wanted by President Macron, Trump will be in Paris together with a delegation that could also include Elon Musk, according to some rumors. Instead, Joe Biden will not be present, but it will be represented by first lady Jill Biden.
Among other confirmed leaders, there will be the president Sergio Mattarella, who has given up on the opening of the season at La Scala in Milan, the premier Giorgia Meloni, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, the Greek president Catherine Sakellaropoulou, the Polish president Andrzej Duda, the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier,he Prince William of England and Albert II of Monaco and the monarchs Felipe VI (Spain) e Mohammed VI (Morocco). Serbian President also expected Milos Vucevic, the Croatian president Zoran Milanovic, the Bulgarian president Romania Radev, the presidents of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso and the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi, the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pachinian as well as numerous other last-minute high-ranking guests. Also present were many religious leaders will be present, including the Archbishop of New York, Timothy Michael Dolan, and the Archbishop of Constantinople, Bartholomew I.
Will not be present, instead, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, contrary to what was initially announced by the deputy spokesperson of the European executive. Von der Leyen's staff clarified that it was a internal error and that the trip had not been officially confirmed.
But the great absent of the event will be another: Pope Francesco. Despite President Macron's personal invitation, the The Pope has decided not to attend the ceremony. His choice has sparked much speculation, particularly regarding his strained relations with the French president and to the decision of visit Corsica on December 15, instead of Paris. The Vatican, however, has clarified that the decision is not linked to political differences, but to a another commitment already scheduled: the celebration of a Consistory for the creation of 21 new cardinals, set for the same day.
The choice to avoid Paris seems to be linked to political differences between the Pope and President Macron, including issues such as secularism and immigration, which have generated friction between the two. Already in 2023, the Pope had refused an invitation to Paris, preferring to go to Marseille for a meeting on Mediterranean issues. The two will perhaps meet briefly next week at Ajaccio airport before the Holy Father's return to the Vatican. The Pope's absence, although significant, does not affect theimportance of the event, which promises to be one of the most memorable in the recent history of the French capital.
La security of the event, as it was for the Olympics, will be maximum. On the platforms near the cathedral ain the area to accommodate a maximum of 40 thousand people. An impressive deployment of 6.000 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilized to ensure security in a context of "very high level of terrorist threat", according to what was reported by the Prefecture of Police.
Notre Dame: the program of the inaugural ceremony
The Elysée has planned the ceremony in the smallest detailsThe day will be divided into three distinct momentsi: one laic, with the speech of thanks by President Emmanuel Macron; one religious tourism, with the celebration of the mass; and one cultural and artistic which will conclude the event.
At 19pm, Macron will take the floor, referring to his recent address to the nation, in which he compared the process of rebuilding the country to that of Notre Dame: an undertaking that seemed “impossible” but which, thanks to a “clear” project, succeeded. Contrary to expectations, the president will speak outside the Cathedral, in compliance with the 1905 law on separation between state and church. His speech, which will focus on the “art of being French,” It will be short and aimed at all French people., in a “republican and secular” moment.
La religious ceremony will be divided into three phases: initially, the message sent by the Pope to the Archbishop of Paris and addressed to the French people will be read. At 20:15 pm, the function will begin (lasting approximately 45 minutes), presided over by the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, and concelebrated by 170 bishops and cardinals from all over the world, together with a priest from each of the 106 parishes of the diocese of Paris. Immediately afterwards, theArchbishop will bang his pastoral staff on closed doors of the Cathedral, which will open in response to the gesture. The Cathedral will respond with the Psalm 121, which will be sung three times, beginning with “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains.”
The highlight will be the “awakening” of the organ, the largest in France, composed of 8.000 pipes and 115 registers. After being restored, theorgan will be blessed and then playedThe religious function will conclude with the Archbishop's blessing and the singing of the Te Deum, accompanied by the choirs of the Maîtrise de Notre-Dame, around 21pm.
Starting at 21pm, the evening will continue with a concert on the cathedral square, which will see the performance of Clara Luciani, Vianney, Garou, Pretty Yende, Lang Lang, Angélique Kidjo, and many others, accompanied by the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. Theevent will last approximately two and a half hours, with some possible surprises to come. The Maîtrise de Notre-Dame de Paris will contribute with opera and classical music performances.
The entire event will be broadcast Live on France TV.
The following day, Sunday 8 December, on the occasion of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, at 10:30, will hold the inaugural Mass with the consecration of the altar, presided over by the Archbishop. This will be followed by eight days of special masses and prayers.
Due to the rain the planned program will be subject to changes.
Notre Dame: Reopening to the Public on December 8th
Once the sumptuous inauguration ceremony was over, starting from December 8th the Cathedral will reopen to the public. Access will be regulated by a online booking system, designed to manage the influx of visitors. Those who book will be able to choose a time slot through a dedicated platform on the cathedral's official website. It will still be possible enter without reservation, but waiting times could exceed two hours.
During the “Octave of Reopening”, which will end on December 15th, concerts, liturgical celebrations and extraordinary visits until 22pm. From December 16, however, the Cathedral will return to its usual hours. For the first six months, entry will be reserved for individual visitors, while groups will be admitted later.
Notre Dame will keep the tradition of free admission, accompanying this choice with the launch of a mobile app that will offer educational content in three languages, with the aim of expanding the offering to six in the future.
The cultural calendar for the whole of 2025 includes concerts every Tuesday evening and other artistic performances, thus celebrating the return of the historic monument to its renewed splendor.
The new Notre-Dame between restoration and innovation
The cathedral, restored with traditional techniques of the 13th century, shines like never before. The cost of the renovation, as already mentioned, amounts to 700 million euros, while private donors have contributed 846 million raised. The law that governs the work, published in the Official Journal in 2019, establishes that all donations are destined for the project. Therefore, the 146 million euros more will be used for the renovation of the exterior of the building. The works, which have involving over 2.000 artisans, 2.000 oaks and 2.000 restored or reconstructed elements have restored brightness to the interiors, removing centuries of blackening and fire damage (approximately 42 thousand square meters of stone were decontaminated). The president Macron praised the team of restorers, calling the result “an immense source of pride for France”.
Inside, visitors will immediately have an extraordinary experience. “We will see Notre-Dame as we have never seen it before,” he said. Olivier Josse, secretary general of the cathedral. “Never in his 860 years of history has been completely restored. Its construction, which lasted 170 years, meant that the building was already altered and blackened in some places. Now, thanks to the restoration, we will be able to admire it with exceptional brightness”.
In addition to the reconstruction, a €50 million project will transform surrounding area. 1.800 square meters of green space will be created, with a covered walk which will connect the cathedral to the Seine and the archaeological crypt. The whole thing will be completed by 2027, redesigning the heart of Paris in harmony with Gothic architecture.
The 2019 fire
It was April 15, 2019 when the flames engulfed Notre-Dame, causing the historic spire to collapse. Images of the disaster went around the world, sparking a wave of international solidarity. The causes remain uncertain, but an electrical fault or a lit cigarette is thought to have been the cause. Firefighters fought for 15 hours to put out the fire, preventing the structure from collapsing completely. Five years later, the grand reopening with Notre-Dame becomes a symbol again not only of France but also of rebirth.
Last update 14,18am
