After a devastating fire in April 2019, Paris’s iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to reopen to the public on December 8, 2024, fulfilling President Emmanuel Macron’s ambitious five-year restoration pledge.
The extensive restoration involved nearly 250 specialized firms focusing on stabilizing the structure, replacing damaged limestone, cleaning soot from walls and statues, repairing smoke and water-damaged paintings, and recreating the oak roof structure. Modern safety measures, including new alarms, fire walls, and sprinklers, have been installed to protect the historic edifice.
A special reopening ceremony is scheduled for December 7, featuring a speech by President Macron and the symbolic “waking up” of the grand organ. Following the reopening, entrance to the cathedral will remain free, with visitors able to book timed entrances online to manage attendance.
This reopening marks a significant milestone in preserving France’s cultural heritage, allowing visitors and worshippers to once again experience the grandeur of Notre-Dame.
