The Île de la Cité (IVe) will be closed off. If you were planning to stroll near Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, you will certainly have to postpone your weekend walk. These December 7 and 8, the “Vielle Dame” celebrates its reopening — five and a half years after being the victim of a terrible fire — in the presence of the President of the Republic, around fifty heads of state, officials of the religious body, patrons and other guests of the diocese. In other words, unless you are accredited or hold an invitation card (or are a local resident), access to the Île de la Cité will be refused, from Saturday 7 a.m. to Sunday 8 p.m.
This is the “strong measure” taken by the police prefect, Laurent Nuñez, through an XXL security system similar to that of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The establishment of an anti-terrorist protection perimeter (Silt) encompassing the entire Île de la Cité, nine bridges as well as part of the high quays on the left bank. Each person attempting to enter must show credentials: You will need to justify your presence (proof of address, invitation, etc.). And the island's businesses will be closed both days. But rest assured, the general public will not be completely deprived of this “extraordinary moment”, of this “historic event”, as described by Ariel Weil, the mayor (PS) of Paris-Centre.
“Show up as soon as possible”
If not on television, nor on the square, nor even on the Île de la Cité, spectators will still be able to take part in the party from the high quays of the left bank. Between the Pont de la Tournelle (5th) and the Pont-Neuf (6th), five reception areas will be demarcated to accommodate, in total, up to 40,000 people.
“These boxes will be open from 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, and from 8 a.m. on Sunday, December 8,” said the Parisian police chief during a press conference on Monday. It is advisable to arrive as early as possible. »
The interest, beyond being close to the restored Gothic building, will be to be able to follow the broadcast of the ceremonies (speech by Emmanuel Macron, opening of the gates by the Archbishop of Paris, the offices, etc.) on giant screens installed on the high platforms and opposite on the Île de la Cité.
“Five screens are planned, as well as sound systems,” underlines Patrick Bloche, first deputy (PS) of Anne Hidalgo. Specifying that the City of Paris, although it is not co-organizing the event, “provides logistical and financial support to the tune of 300,000 euros”.
No QR code but bracelets distributed
Entry into these areas does not require a QR code or invitation card. The “first come, first served” rule will apply on Saturday and Sunday. “Wristbands will be distributed at the entrance to each zone. When there are no more, people no longer come in,” summarizes Laurent Nuñez.
In addition, around fifteen access points have been designed to allow the public to reach these areas or “boxes” on foot. For example, the first, furthest to the west, will be accessible via Dauphine and des Grands-Augustins streets. No point of sale (drinks, snacks) is provided on site.
As for the second-hand booksellers' boxes present in these five areas, they will have been closed from Wednesday December 4 to allow, precisely, the installation of screens, barriers and other devices necessary for the organization of the various highlights of the reopening of Our -Lady. On these same high quays, motorized traffic will be prohibited from this Wednesday midday, the cycle path neutralized until Monday midday. And businesses on this same axis will have to close from 3 p.m. on Saturday.
With some 6,000 personnel deployed, “this ceremony is exceptional and calls for an exceptional system in a fairly limited space,” concludes the police prefect.
