Notre Dame set to reopen after years of restoration: Macron and Trump among guests at its historic reopening
Notre Dame Cathedral, the iconic Parisian landmark nearly lost to a devastating fire in April 2019, reopened on Saturday, marking a historic moment of achievement and resilience. The event attracted dignitaries from across the globe, including US President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and First Lady Jill Biden, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious five-year restoration timeline.
The reopening ceremony began with Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich symbolically tapping the cathedral’s grand wooden doors three times with a staff crafted from charred remnants of the original roof. This act, steeped in tradition, officially declared the cathedral open for worship. Hymns, prayers, and the resonating tones of the restored 8,000-pipe organ followed, reawakening a sacred space silenced for years.
Global Dignitaries Gather for a Cultural Milestone
The reopening drew a wide array of international leaders. President Macron, speaking about the achievement, described it as “the proof that we know how to do grand things, we know how to do the impossible, and the whole world has admired us for it on two occasions this year.” His comments referenced both the Notre Dame restoration and the successful Paris Olympics earlier this year.
US President-elect Donald Trump, on his first international trip since his election, praised Macron for his leadership. “The French leader has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more
