Five years after the fire which ravaged Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral on April 19, 2019, the timetable for reopening the site is becoming clearer. A sequence in three stages: first, a final presidential visit to the site, at the end of November, to greet all those who participated in the reconstruction, then a ceremony symbolizing the handover of the religious building by the State to the Church, during which Emmanuel Macron will speak, and finally, on Sunday December 8, a first mass to consecrate the altar and the interior of the cathedral.
A final site visit on November 29
Emmanuel Macron will go to the cathedral for a final site visit. Like what he was able to do during his previous visits to the construction site, the president will speak from the cathedral – not yet worshiped, which would not contravene, according to the Elysée, the principle of secularism and separation of Churches and State. “The cathedral will not be open [au public]there is no ambiguity regarding this speech.”
This visit will be an opportunity to honor all those who have worked on the reconstruction of the cathedral over the last five years: the companions will thus all be invited (but all will probably not come, some living far from Paris or being engaged on other sites). “The goal is to bring together as many as possible”assures the Elysée. Another tribute to those who made the reconstruction possible: a list of their names will be inscribed in the arrow, starting with that of General Georgelin, who presided over the reconstruction until his death in August 2023.
A presidential speech on the square, December 7
The political highlight of the sequence. Emmanuel Macron will chair the ceremony of handing over the cathedral to the Church of France. A new presidential speech is expected in front of the building and not inside, which was confirmed by the Archbishop of Paris, Mgr Ulrich. “This speech will be addressed to all French people”assures the presidential palace. “It will be a republican and secular time before a religious and then musical time in Notre-Dame.” “And the ceremony will be broadcast around the world”. Indeed, many heads of state are expected, particularly from donor countries – “not necessarily all of Christian culture”slides the Elysée. It is still unknown whether they will also be received at the Elysée, following the model of what happened before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games last July. Pope Francis is not expected to be present, but will prioritize a visit to Corsica the following week.
The first mass on December 8
The first mass in the rebuilt cathedral will take place on Sunday December 8, presided over by Mg Ulrich, in the presence of the head of state. “The President of the Republic, whether personally or as head of state, is not prohibited from attending religious services” but he “never take communion”justifies one of his advisors. Then, masses and religious ceremonies will be able to resume in the building. Notre-Dame will be open to the public from December 8 to 14, “until 10 p.m.”also specified the rector of the cathedral, Olivier Ribadeau-Dumas.
A free ticketing system will allow individuals to reserve entry “the day before, the day before or the same day” of the visit, said Sybille Bellamy-Brown, head of public management at the cathedral, during a press conference in Paris.
However, the work is not completely finished. It's more about finishing touches than structural work, but that doesn't prevent it. According to the Elysée, there are still 140 million euros remaining in the planned envelope, but the tense budgetary situation could lead to a reduction in scope. “This will be determined as part of the preparation of future budgets.”boots touch the Elysée.
