Revisiting Notre-Dame de Paris

A much-awaited event. The Cathedral’s reopening to the public! Some 15 million people were waiting with anticipation. A colossal number that led the City of Paris to pull out all the stops on 7 & 8 December.

Notre Dame reopened in a succession of solemn ceremonies held over several days. On 7 December 2024, the sound of the cathedral organ rang out in celebration of this historic moment. The day’s proceedings included a special blessing and the singing of Magnificat, Te Deum and other sacred hymns, as well as the evening vespers.

On the next day, 8 December 2024, a solemn mass was held to herald the beginning of the Cathedral’s new life, with the consecration of the altar, symbolising the renewal of Notre-Dame. From then until 15 December, a whole week of celebrations, known as an octave, was held in honour of the iconic monument’s rebirth.

Due to the 6,000-m² cathedral’s maximum capacity of 2,500 people, a digital reservation system was set up to allow visitors to book their slot.

Good to know: the cathedral can be visited only by individuals until Whitsun 2025. Groups will be admitted to the building only after this period.

For an enhanced experience, a *facilitation app developed by Mazedia will be available for download from next autumn. This ‘Visiting Companion’ can be found on the cathedral website (currently being redesigned), and via Android or Apple.

It will act as an interactive guide to help you explore the building, through special features with an emphasis on accessibility. In addition, various publications, guides and catalogues are also being produced.

There’s always a before and an after. Even for a reopening. Although most of the work is finished, certain aspects will continue for another few years.

• 6 December 2023: the Cathedral spire with its iconic cross towers once again above Paris.
  
• 16 December 2023: a new cockerel is added to the top of the spire, as a symbol of the rebirth of Notre-Dame.
  
• 24 May 2024: the cross is reinstalled in the radiating chapel, marking an important milestone in the restoration of the back end of the cathedral.
  
• 24 July 2024: the trumpet-playing Angel watches over the city once again.
  
• 12 September 2024: the eight bells of the north belfry are reinstalled, ready to ring out for Paris (including the bell cast for the 2024 Olympics).
  
• 7 & 8 December 2024: official re-opening of the Cathedral with followers and visitors from across the world.
  
• 2025: restoration of the radiating chapel and the sacristy.
  
• 2026: installation of the new stained-glass windows.
  
• 2027: the forecourt, approach area and façade are enhanced and green spaces are created by landscape architect Bas Smets.
  

As Notre-Dame prepares to shine in all her glory, find out more about the cathedral. On the agenda: experiences and exhibitions that unveil all the secrets of this great lady.

• Eternal Notre-Dame beneath the forecourt of Notre-Dame until the end of 2024: immerse yourself in a world that reveals the cathedral’s great moments. An interactive voyage that takes you back to the origins of this iconic monument.
  
• Notre-Dame de Paris: at the heart of the construction site at the Maison du Chantier et des Métiers de Notre-Dame until the end of 2024: take a plunge behind the scenes of the construction site to admire the incredible work of the tradespeople. Explore the technical challenges of the restoration, between moments of doubt and success stories.
  
  

More than just a cathedral, Notre-Dame is a muse. A muse that has influenced artists for hundreds of years. This monument has inspired Victor Hugo, Disney and more recently, a stage musical.

But it isn’t the only star of the show. The capital itself is celebrated in a number of novels, poems and other productions. Rediscover Paris through literature.