Notre Dame Reopens After Five Years of Restoration, Celebrated Worldwide

Photo source: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, an 861-year-old landmark, officially reopened on December 7, five years after a devastating fire ravaged its roof and spire, threatening the integrity of the structure.

The reopening ceremony featured a two-hour sermon attended by global leaders, with the bells ringing as Archbishop Laurent Ulrich symbolically reopened the cathedral.

“The bells of Notre-Dame are ringing again,” declared French President Emmanuel Macron. He praised first responders and restoration workers with a standing ovation.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaking at the opening ceremony. Photo source: Hellenic Republic Presidency press office

The ceremony highlighted the monumental effort to restore the Gothic masterpiece, which included a 700-million-euro restoration, restoring the cathedral’s stone interiors to their original white gothic beauty.

A message from Pope Francis celebrated the reopening, calling it a day of “joy, celebration, and praise”.

The event was a mix of Catholic tradition and French national pride, attended by dignitaries such as President-elect Donald Trump, First Lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

In her remarks, Sakellaropoulou praised the restored cathedral as a symbol of resilience. “The reborn Notre Dame showcases its cultural and artistic value through the centuries, embodying the strength of our shared heritage.”

Photo source: Hellenic Republic Presidency press office

The restoration was funded by more than 840 million euros in donations, including a 113 million euro contribution from François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Kering, who attended the event with actress Salma Hayek.

Attendees also included Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, a close adviser in Trump’s transition team, as well as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former French presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.

Over 2,000 workers from 250 companies contributed to the restoration, which not only focused on structural repairs but also on artistic restoration and the creation of new liturgical furnishings. This five-year project ensured the cathedral’s continued resilience as a symbol of France and its cultural heritage.

The cathedral’s first stone was laid in 1163, and it became an iconic symbol of Paris, particularly after Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”. Its restoration underscores the commitment to preserving cultural monuments for future generations.