Notre Dame cathedral in Paris re-opens for public after 5 years: Timings, how to book online and other entry rules
The Archbishop of Paris officially reopened Notre Dame Cathedral on Saturday, marking the restoration of the historic 12th-century landmark after the catastrophic fire of 2019. In a symbolic gesture, Laurent Ulrich knocked on the grand doors and stepped into the beautifully restored space.
Dressed in newly designed vestments and carrying a staff crafted from a roof beam that survived the blaze, Ulrich led a two-hour ceremony attended by hundreds of VIPs inside the Gothic cathedral. Commanding the doors to “open,” he entered the transformed masterpiece to begin the event.
Notable figures included U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who sat in the front row as the guest of honor alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. Guests marveled at the cathedral’s fresh restoration, featuring cleaned walls, updated furniture, and cutting-edge lighting.
Outside, small crowds of locals and tourists braved inclement weather to witness the revival of a cherished monument that had narrowly escaped complete destruction. “It’s stunning, even more so with the restored spire,” said Marie Jean, a 27-year-old dentist from southern France.
The €700 million ($750 million) restoration project, funded by donations, met the ambitious five-year timeline set by Macron, defying early estimates that suggested the work could take decades. Challenges included lead contamination, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the tragic loss of the project’s overseeing general, who died in a hiking accident.
Philippe Jost, who assumed leadership of the project
