View of the gargoyles adorning Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, five and a half years after a fire ravaged the Gothic masterpiece, on the eve of the reopening ceremonies in Paris
couple Ingrid Melander and Ardee NAPOLITANO
Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral will reopen its doors on Saturday, five and a half years after being ravaged on April 15, 2019 by a spectacular fire that moved the whole world.
Notre-Dame, jewel of Gothic art and emblem of the French capital, has been completely renovated and will welcome around 2,000 people during the reopening ceremonies for worship which will be held on Saturday and Sunday.
“The planet was turned upside down that day,” said Emmanuel Macron. “The shock of reopening will, I believe – and I want to believe – be as strong as that of the fire, but it will be a shock of hope.”
The reopening of Notre-Dame should allow Emmanuel Macron to forget the political crisis caused by the fall of the French government this week.
Patrons, representatives of authorities and foreign personalities – such as the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelensky, the American president-elect, Donald Trump, and the heir to the English throne, Prince William – are expected in Paris on Saturday to attend the ceremonies , which should start around 7:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. GMT).
The Elysée and the diocese of Paris announced Friday evening that due to the very unfavorable weather conditions announced by Météo France, the entire ceremony would take place inside the cathedral.
THE RESTORED CATHEDRAL OPEN TO VISITORS
Thousands of craftsmen have worked tirelessly since 2019 to restore, repair or replace everything destroyed by the flames.
-“It is a monument which speaks to the greatest number of people. Which no longer belongs only to Parisians and the French, but perhaps to the whole world,” said historian Damien Berné.
“It is a milestone, an emblem, a reference point which reassures in a globalized world where everything is constantly evolving,” he said.
Notre-Dame de Paris, erected from the year 1163, has been celebrated by many poets, filmmakers and writers, including Victor Hugo.
In total, according to the Elysée, 843 million euros were collected. Around 700 million was spent on the consolidation and restoration phases; the remaining 140 million will be used to restore the facades and roofs of the sacristy.
The Catholic Church now expects the cathedral to welcome 15 million visitors each year. It will be possible to visit it on Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The cathedral indicated that visitors could reserve a free ticket on Saturday on its website, social networks or a dedicated application in order to be able to enter Notre-Dame the same day or within two days of booking.
A queue will also be open for people wishing to enter Notre-Dame de Paris without reserving a ticket in advance.
(with Michaela Cabrera; French version Camille Raynaud)
