Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the symbol of the French capital, has undergone interior renovations and is set to reopen in December, more than five years after a fire devastated significant parts of the church.
During a progress update on June 25, the Director and Pastor of the cathedral, Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas announced that Notre-Dame Cathedral will officially reopen on December 8. The inauguration ceremony will be held with great solemnity, featuring continuous masses over eight days, presided over by Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich, including a special service for firefighters, volunteers, artisans, and staff who participated in the restoration.
The extensive renovation project was described by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich as completed with “joy, eagerness, and deep gratitude.”
A section of the wall of Notre-Dame Cathedral on June 21 adorned with a new poster welcoming the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the reopening of the cathedral in December. (Photo: Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris).
Notre-Dame Cathedral suffered a major fire in April 2019, which caused the spire to collapse and burned a part of the roof of the 860-year-old Gothic architecture. Images of the flames engulfing Notre-Dame spread worldwide, shocking architecture and culture enthusiasts. Hundreds of thousands of donors from 150 countries contributed over $840 million for the restoration of the cathedral.
The restoration not only aims to return the cathedral to its original state but also cleverly incorporates modern design elements, promising a unique viewing experience for visitors.
In addition to new interior additions, the decorative patterns in the chapel have been restored to their original brilliance, along with the addition of seven decorative tapestries and six stained glass windows. These windows are exemplary works chosen through a competition involving 110 contemporary artists, including Daniel Buren, Herve Di Rosa, and Yan Pei-Ming. This combination aims to honor the historical value of the cathedral while infusing contemporary artistic flair into the structure.
Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas emphasized that the restoration project will provide “a profound cultural and spiritual experience.” The restoration process also includes the recovery of essential elements such as the main spire, wooden framework, golden cross, and rooster statue, ensuring the cathedral’s iconic shape remains intact while integrating modern safety features.
The cathedral is expected to welcome a surge in visitors after the inauguration, with approximately 15 million annual visitors, an increase from 12 million before the fire. The cathedral management will implement an online ticketing system to ensure visitors wait no longer than 30 minutes for entry. Tickets will also be sold directly at the cathedral for spontaneous visitors. Individual visitors can tour the cathedral starting December 16, while pilgrims and group tourists will be welcomed from February 1, 2025, after Pentecost. Visitors will be able to explore part of the cathedral grounds, including the front square, garden, and south corridor. This is the first step in the plan to fully open the cathedral by 2026.
Visitors exploring the cathedral through an outdoor exhibition in 2023. (Photo: Vivian Song/Lonely Planet).
The cathedral will provide a mobile app to assist visitors, pilgrims, and children alike. Guidebooks and support devices for disabled visitors will also be prepared.
After the restoration, Notre-Dame Cathedral can accommodate 2,500 visitors at a time, with a total daily visitor capacity of up to 40,000 people – double that of the Palace of Versailles and over 10,000 more than the Louvre Museum. The combination of historical charm and modern improvements, along with an advanced fire safety system, promises an impressive and safe experience for all visitors.
The public is eager to explore “a refuge of beauty, tenderness, and comfort as a sign of hope in difficult times,” Archbishop Ulrich stated.
