the reopening program, scheduled for December 7

The program of ceremonies accompanying the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris is being refined, more than five years after the fire which seriously damaged the cathedral on April 15, 2019. “Our thirst is great to welcome the whole world back under the vaults of the cathedral”declared the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, Wednesday November 13, during a press conference in Paris.

A security device “exceptional”, inspired by that for the Olympic Games, will be set up for the occasion, with “thousands” of law enforcement mobilized, according to the Paris police prefect, Laurent Nuñez.

December 7 at the end of the afternoon: speech by Emmanuel Macron and liturgical ceremony

The president, Emmanuel Macron, will deliver a speech on the square in front of Notre-Dame-de-Paris, just before attending the liturgical reopening ceremony in the cathedral. At the end of this ceremony, around 9 p.m., Notre-Dame will be considered reopened.

The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, declared at the end of October that the head of state would speak “in the cathedral”. But the Elysée assured on November 13 that it had finally been decided that it would pronounce “a fairly short speech” instead “on the square”during a “secular time” before the liturgy. The authorities have “ensured that the principle of separation” of Church and State “be respected”it was argued, sweeping away the “beginnings of controversy” which had arisen when speaking out inside had been mentioned.

Only guests will be able to access the square and the building, whose reception capacity is 3,000 people maximum, according to the Paris police prefect. On the high platforms near the building, a “area will be developed” to welcome the public. A maximum of 40,000 people will be able to access it.

Foreign heads of state and government are invited, the presidency said in mid-November, without providing a list. The Elysée has not commented on the absence of Pope Francis, although he was invited by Emmanuel Macron – the sovereign pontiff will, however, be in Corsica the following weekend to attend a conference on “popular religiosity in the Mediterranean”.

December 7 in the evening: concert on the square

Organized by France Télévisions and co-transmitted by Radio France, a concert to reopen Notre-Dame will be held in front of the cathedral, shortly after 9 p.m.

Lyrical singing and classical music will dominate the show, which will feature the Maîtrise de Notre-Dame de Paris and the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted for the occasion by Venezuelan maestro Gustavo Dudamel.

Also on the bill will be the Chinese virtuoso pianist Lang Lang, 42, and the Franco-Swiss tenor Benjamin Bernheim, 39, who was already present at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games.

The very popular Clara Luciani, Vianney and Garou will embody a more pop side during this concert. The Franco-Beninese singers Angélique Kidjo and the Lebanese Hiba Tawaji are also announced, as is the DJ Michael Canitrot.

December 8: first mass in public

The first public mass since the 2019 fire will take place the day after the cathedral reopens. Mr. Macron will be present. “The President of the Republic, whether personally or as President of the Republic, is not prohibited from attending religious services” but he “never communicate”explained an Elysée advisor to Agence France-Presse in mid-November.

The inaugural mass and consecration of the altar “will take place (…) at 10:30 a.m., presided over by the Archbishop of Paris »declared the rector of the cathedral, M^gr Olivier Ribadeau-Dumas, specifying that“At this mass will be present more than 150 bishops from France and the world, priests and faithful representing the parishes of the diocese of Paris”.

From December 8 to 14: open to the public until 10 p.m.

From Sunday December 8 to Saturday December 14, Notre-Dame will reopen, with one entrance “until 10 p.m.”announced the rector of the cathedral in mid-November.

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.

“On December 16, ordinary life will resume,” clarified M^gr Ribadeau-Dumas. According to the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, 15 million visitors are expected to visit the cathedral each year.