Windy forecast forces some of the celebrations indoors
Macron may have succeeded in meeting his five-year deadline of reopening Notre-Dame by 2024, but he can’t control the weather.
Forecasts of strong winds in Paris tonight forced a last-minute change in plans for some of the celebrations slated for this evening. Festivities initially expected to take place outside Notre-Dame, including Macron’s address, have been move inside the cathedral.
Notre-Dame rises from the ashes five years after fire
Five years after the fire that tore through Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral, destroying most of its roof and its iconic spire, the iconic Gothic landmark will reopen its doors today in an evening of celebration and ceremony.
Hundreds of people, including dignitaries like President-elect Donald Trump and First Lady Jill Biden, are expected to attend a special reopening service this evening marking the “reawakening” of the centuries-old cathedral.
Leading the service, Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich will knock on the door of the Notre-Dame three times, with a choir “responding” each time with singing as the city reawakens before the doors finally swing open.
The service will follow by an address from President Emmanuel Macron with royalty, heads of state and dignitaries from around the world.