The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris has officially reopened after five years of extensive restoration work, which was marked by a special service on December 7, 2024. The ceremony was attended by world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This event was particularly significant as the cathedral had suffered severe damage in a fire in 2019. The Paris Archbishop, Laurent Ulrich, officially reopened the cathedral by knocking three times on its doors to commence the event.
The restoration process cost around 700 million euros, funded entirely by public donations. President Macron expressed that this restoration showcases the resilience and greatness of the French nation. During the ceremony, firefighters who saved the cathedral during the 2019 blaze were given a standing ovation, and a message of gratitude was displayed on the cathedral’s façade.
The reopening of Notre-Dame marks a milestone for France, sparking a renewed sense of national pride and unity among its citizens.
