The cathedral reopens its doors on Saturday December 7 in front of cameras from around the world. The event arouses immense fervor but also some challenges for visitors. What you need to know so you don't miss anything.
Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral reopens its doors on Saturday December 7, more than five years after the fire which ravaged it on April 15, 2019. The reopening festivities will therefore begin on Saturday afternoon with an official ceremony in the presence of the President of the Republic and a host of state and religious officials. To be as close as possible to this world event, you will have to be patient.
Access to the square
The Paris police headquarters indicates in a press release published on December 2 that the cathedral and the square « will not be freely accessible » December 7 and 8. A device « extremely important » of 6,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed on Saturday and Sunday to ensure the security of the reopening ceremonies of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, at which around fifty heads of state and government are expected.
Access to the Île de la Cité
In its press release, the police headquarters indicates that from Wednesday, December 4 at 2 p.m., and until Monday, December 9 at 12 p.m., traffic on the banks of the Seine on the left bank will be prohibited, cycle paths included, between the Pont de la Tournelle (5e arrondissement) and Pont-Neuf (6e borough). The entire Tournelle quays of Montebello and Saint-Michel will be closed to traffic. The Quai des Grands Augustins will be closed to traffic from the Pont Saint-Michel to the Pont-Neuf. Residents and authorized persons must present proof of address.
Official speech by Emmanuel Macron
Saturday late afternoon, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will deliver a speech in front of the cathedral, before attending a liturgical ceremony celebrated by the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, in the presence of several dozen heads of state and government – including United States President-elect Donald Trump – guests of the diocese, patrons and representatives of Paris parishes.
The awakening of the great organ
Saturday afternoon, after the opening of the portal by the Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich, the organist Thierry Escaich and his three colleagues (Olivier Latry, Vincent Dubois and Thibault Fajoles) will intervene at the very beginning of the ceremony to proceed with music to the blessing of the instrument which was cleaned and restored to working order after being damaged by dust during the fire.
Reopening concert
From 9 p.m., an evening concert on the square in front of the cathedral will bring together numerous artists such as the Venezuelan Gustavo Dudamel, the Chinese pianist Lang Lang, the singers Vianney, Garou and Clara Luciani, but also Angélique Kidjo, Hiba Tawaji and the French DJ Michael Canitrot.
The inaugural Mass
The inaugural mass will be broadcast live on France 2 on Sunday, December 8 from 10:30 a.m. It will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Paris, Monseigneur Laurent Ulrich, in the presence of the President of the Republic and numerous heads of state. and government. More than 150 bishops, priests accompanied by faithful, invited personalities from France and around the world will participate in this celebration.
The first mass open to the public
The first mass open to the public at Notre-Dame will take place on Sunday at 6:30 p.m., and others will follow every evening throughout the so-called “octave” week. The 1,500 places available for this mass were reserved in a few minutes on Tuesday December 3, the opening day of the ticket office.
Live broadcast
The France Télévisions editorial team sets up its set at the foot of the cathedral on December 7 and 8. From 6:30 a.m., with “Télématin” and throughout the day with special programs and its television news at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., public service cameras will closely follow the reopening of Notre-Dame. The reopening concert will be broadcast live and hosted by Stéphane Bern. Sunday October 8, France 2 will broadcast live the inaugural mass at 10:30 a.m. as well as the first mass open to the general public at 6:30 p.m., for two great moments of televisual communion.
Spaces with giant screens
The ceremonies will also be broadcast on giant screens, installed on the high quays of the Seine. Five areas that can accommodate the public, called “boxes” by the police headquarters, will be installed and access will be via the following streets: rue Dauphine and rue des Grands Augustins – place Saint-Michel – rue Lagrange and rue du Haut Pavé – rue du maître Albert and rue de Bièvres – rue de Pontoise and quai de la Tournelle. According to Laurent Nuñez, the Paris police chief, their access will be around 3 p.m., Saturday afternoon. « The maximum total gauge is 40 000 people. It is advisable to arrive early, as the system will be the same as for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games with a distribution of bracelets at the entrance. When there are no more bracelets, people no longer come in », explains the police chief. This system will also be put in place for the broadcast of Sunday masses at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Reservation system
No reservations are now possible to visit and attend the first mass open to the public on Sunday. For the week of December 8 to 15, « reservations for facilitated access to the cathedral (visits) will open the day before, i.e. Saturday, December 7 »explains the home page of the cathedral's website since Tuesday.
From December 8 to 15
The festivities will continue all week, until December 15. Wednesday, December 11 in the evening will be dedicated to welcoming the merchants and residents of the neighborhood, then to the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe the next day. Finally, the cathedral will see the solemn return of the Crown of Thorns on December 13. For its part, the Notre-Dame de Paris master's office will hold a concert on December 17 to celebrate the reopening. The cathedral will be open to the public from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, December 8 then, from Monday to Friday, from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and, finally, from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 14 and 15 . The cathedral will then be open every day from 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Three masses will take place at 8 a.m. (8:30 a.m. Saturday), 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. every day and four on Sunday, including one in Latin.
