PARIS — The much-anticipated reopening of Notre Dame is set to take place this weekend, and officials are preparing for a highly secure event reminiscent of the protective measures implemented during the recent Paris Olympics. The cathedral, located on the Ile de la Cité in central Paris, will be closed to tourists during the two-day festivities, which follow more than five years of extensive restoration work after the devastating fire in 2019.
Access to the island will be limited to invited guests and local residents, according to police chief Laurent Nuñez. He stated that around 50 dignitaries, including heads of state and government, are expected to attend the ceremonies. Security protocols will echo previous efforts to control crowds during the grand opening of the Olympic Games. “A very high level of security will be applied,” Nuñez emphasized in a recent interview.
The ceremonial events will commence on Saturday afternoon, blending elements of religious tradition and entertainment. Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich will lead a reopening service, symbolically knocking on Notre Dame’s closed doors to signal its return to public life, as stated on the cathedral’s official website. Additionally, the archbishop will ceremoniously restart the cathedral’s grand organ, which had been damaged during the fire; the instrument’s 8,000 pipes, varying in length from the size of a pen to over 10 meters (33 feet), have all been meticulously cleaned and tuned following the incident.
The opening celebration will also include psalms, prayers, and musical performances. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to be present and will address the guests in attendance. An evening concert featuring renowned artists such as South Africa’s Pretty Yende, French soprano Julie Fuchs, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, American cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Benin’s Angelique Kidjo, and Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji is planned as a tribute to the cathedral and those who contributed to its restoration efforts.
In terms of security, a cordon will restrict access to the entire Ile de la Cité, as well as sections of the southern bank of the Seine River and several bridges, beginning early Saturday evening and continuing through Sunday night. The police chief confirmed that only individuals involved in the ceremonies and local residents would be permitted entry. Furthermore, all businesses on the island, most of which cater to tourists, as well as boat tours operating in the area, will be closed throughout the weekend.
On Sunday morning, the Archbishop will preside over an inaugural Mass and consecrate the newly constructed altar. Nearly 170 bishops from various countries, alongside priests from all 106 parishes in the Paris diocese, are expected to join the service, according to the cathedral’s website. Following the Mass, a “fraternal buffet” is planned for those in need, emphasizing the community spirit surrounding the event.
To accommodate the public, viewing areas with a capacity for 40,000 spectators will be established along the southern bank of the Seine, allowing attendees to witness the second day’s events on large screens, as confirmed by the police chief. This reopening weekend not only marks the resurrection of an iconic landmark but also serves as a celebration of resilience and unity.