Photo by ยฉ Maxime Gilbert
Five and a half years after a devastating fire destroyed its roof and spire, Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral will reopen to the public just in time for the Christmas season.
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Visitors will be able to marvel at its newly buffed stone walls, vibrant frescoes and gleaming stained glass. A series of events is also planned to mark the occasion and honor the armies of engineers and artisans from across France who helped resurrect this beloved Gothic masterpiece and its precious treasures.
The celebrations promise to be both memorable and moving, attracting admirers from far and wide. If youโre hoping to come to the City of Light to experience this magical moment, be sure to plan ahead! Here’s what to expect:
The Official Reopening
December 7th: The formal return of the cathedral to the Catholic Church by the French state, which has served as its caretaker during the restoration. President Emmanuel Macron and the Archbishop of Paris will attend this solemn, invitation-only ceremony, which will include a liturgy and benediction as well as a โreawakeningโ of the grand organ with its 8,000 pipes.
December 8th: The first public mass will take place, coinciding with the second Sunday of Advent. The altar will be re-consecrated and the Cathedralโs ten bronze bells will ring out proudly across the city. While this event will also be mainly invite-only, the service will be televised and it will be possible to gather near the cathedral.
December 10th-15th: A series of choral concerts under the vaults of the nave, as well as other cultural programs. Masterpieces of French sacred music will be performed by the adult and youth choirs of the Maรฎtrise Notre-Dame de Paris, the Collรจge des Bernardins and others. Check www.notredamedeparis.fr in early December for details as they emerge.
December 16th: The Notre Dame Treasury will become open to visitors for a small fee.
December 17th-18th: Two โMagnificatโ concerts will conclude the official reopening celebrations, but various events will continue until June 8th, 2025, the day of Pentecost.
How to Visit the Cathedral
While there was some debate on introducing an entrance fee, it has ultimately been decided to keep the Notre Dame completely free of charge. It will also be possible to visit Notre Dame spontaneously, however, with 40,000 visitors expected per day, a new free ticketing system will be introduced to reserve a specific time slot in advance, guaranteeing entry and avoiding long wait times.
Group tours will resume after Pentecost in June 2025.
The reservation system will become available before the official reopening. Head to www.notredamedeparis.fr to reserve your visit in advance.