PARIS — The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is set to reopen for the first time following the devastating fire that nearly destroyed the cherished 12th-century structure in 2019.
A gathering of dignitaries, including notable figures such as President-elect Donald Trump, Jill Biden, Prince William of Britain, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will join approximately 1,500 guests for a celebratory event honoring the restoration of this historical landmark, which is celebrated for its architectural significance in France.
The reopening festivities will commence with Archbishop Laurent Ulrich symbolically opening Notre Dame’s grand wooden doors.
In the aftermath of the fire, an overwhelming response from around the globe saw nearly $1 billion raised in donations, highlighting the cathedral’s universal importance and cultural significance.

Plans for the event include a blend of solemn religious rituals along with an official discourse from President Emmanuel Macron.
The French leader and his wife, Brigitte, will greet a multitude of global leaders and heads of state before the Archbishop leads a ceremonial rite to reopen the cathedral’s doors at 7 p.m.
The subsequent ceremony will take place inside the cathedral and will feature a presentation detailing the restoration work, alongside musical performances and a speech by Macron.
Following this, the Archbishop will conduct a rite intended to reactivate the majestic organ of Notre Dame, with the entire religious service anticipated to last around 55 minutes.

Unfortunately, nature has posed a challenge, as the reopening of Notre Dame has been affected by inclement weather.
After more than five years of extensive renovations, strong winds are expected to disrupt the original plans, ultimately moving the entire ceremony indoors.
The initial arrangement called for an outdoor state ceremony led by President Macron, followed by a transition to the cathedral for the Archbishop to lead religious rites, maintaining the delicate balance between the church and state in France.
However, due to the forecasted stormy conditions, both the Paris diocese and Macron’s office have decided to condense the ceremonies, now exclusively taking place inside the historic cathedral.
This is the second notable occasion in 2023 when adverse weather has impacted significant events in Paris, as heavy rainfall affected the July 26 opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics, casting a shadow over the festivities and audience enjoyment.