Like a phoenix, Notre Dame rises: France's iconic cathedral reopens to public 5 yrs after fire with top world leaders in attendance
Paris: France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has reopened its doors to the public, five-and-a-half years after a massive fire nearly reduced it to ruins. The 12th-century structure, restored to its Gothic splendour, now features a new spire and dazzling gold accents.
The cathedral, dedicated in honour of the Virgin Mary, is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.
Prominent global figures, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Britain’s Prince William, joined French President Emmanuel Macron for the reopening ceremony.
Archbishop Laurent Ulrich struck the cathedral doors with the tip of his staff, crafted from a beam that survived the fire. This symbolic act marked a solemn return to faith, accompanied by prayers, hymns, and organ performances, according to media reports.
Macron described Notre Dame as "a symbol of hope and unity," echoing sentiments of perseverance and community.
As the ceremony commenced, the cathedral’s bell rang out, a reminder of its historic significance.
“We had the will, the hope, the daring to rebuild Notre Dame and make it more beautiful than ever,” Macron declared during his speech, reported BBC.
He reflected on the lessons learned from the tragedy: “The bells of Notre-Dame have accompanied our history. We must treasure this lesson of fragility, humility, and will... and never forget how much each person counts.” Macron concluded with a heartfelt proclamation: “Long live Notre-Dame, and long live the French Republic.”
Notre Dame’s lighting display, featuring the word "thank you" in multiple languages, paid tribute to the engineers, carpenters, and artisans who dedicated years to restoring the cathedral, said the report.
A total of 160 firefighters and workers who played critical roles in the rescue and restoration efforts were honoured with a standing ovation as they paraded through cathedral’s hallowed halls.
Visitor information and weeklong celebration
A week of celebratory events is planned from December 8 to December 15, marking the reopening of Notre Dame. Afterward, the cathedral will resume its regular hours, welcoming visitors daily.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:45 AM to 7:00 PM (extended to 10:00 PM on Thursdays); Saturday and Sunday, 8:15 AM to 7:30 PM.
Entry: Free of charge, with optional online bookings since December 3.
Fascinating facts about Notre Dame according to news agency Associated Press:
Historical Foundations: Construction began in 1163 with the first stone laid over 850 years ago.
Emmanuel Bell: The 13-ton bell, christened by King Louis XIV in 1683, rings in F-sharp and signalled the start of the reopening service.
Approximately 42,000 square meters of stonework, the size of six football fields, were meticulously cleaned.
The great organ, comprising 7,952 pipes, underwent extensive cleaning to remove lead monoxide deposits from the fire.
Damaged sculptures, including gargoyles and chimeras, were restored or recreated using limestone sourced to match the original materials.
Archaeologists uncovered remains believed to belong to Renaissance poet Joachim de Bellay during the renovation.
None of the original 800-year-old timbers survived the fire, necessitating the use of 1,200 oak trees to reconstruct the structure, signifying the extraordinary effort in bringing Notre Dame back to life.
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