Notre-Dame re-opens, five years after devastating fire

The archbishop of Paris re-opened Notre-Dame Cathedral on Saturday, December 7, by symbolically knocking on the doors and entering the 12^th-century landmark which has been restored after a devastating fire in 2019.

Wearing new designer vestments and carrying a staff cut from one of the roof beams that survived the inferno, Laurent Ulrich joined hundreds of VIPs inside the Gothic masterpiece for a two-hour ceremony. Ulrich commanded the cathedral to “open your doors” and he entered the magnificently-restored edifice.

US President-elect Donald Trump sat on the front row as a guest of honor next to French President Emmanuel Macron, with guests marveling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and state-of-the-art lightning installed as part of the cathedral’s overhaul.

Outside, small crowds of Parisians and tourists braved wet weather and high winds to witness the renaissance of a beloved monument which came close to being totally destroyed by the inferno that toppled its roof and spire.

Donations

The reconstruction effort has cost around €700 million, financed from donations, with the re-opening achieved within a five-year deadline set by Macron despite predictions it could take decades.

Workers had to overcome problems with lead pollution, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the army general overseeing the project falling to his death while hiking in the Pyrenées last year.

Saturday’s liturgical ceremony featured prayer, organ music and hymns from the cathedral’s choir. A public concert planned in front of the cathedral featuring Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams had to be pre-recorded on Friday night because of the stormy weather.

Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by Macron, Notre Dame’s renaissance so soon after the fire comes at a difficult time for the country. The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government since last week when prime minister Michel Barnier lost a no-confidence vote.

Macron is hoping the re-opening might provide a fleeting sense of national pride and unity – as the Paris Olympics did in July and August. The scale of the immense security operation – with some 6,000 police officers and gendarmes mobilized – and bad weather certainly recalled the Olympics.

Trump

Macron has scored a major coup by attracting incoming US president Donald Trump for his first foreign trip since his re-election. Another 40 heads of state and government are also present, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who was given a round of applause as he entered Notre-Dame, as well as British heir to the throne, Prince William.

Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the presidential palace shortly before the ceremony, with future US military support for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia’s invasion expected to have been discussed.

One surprising absentee on Saturday was Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. He sent a message addressed to the French people which was read out.