Today, the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral has its due, with French President Emmanuel Macron and the cameras entering the interior of the building for the first time, in order to give citizens a taste of the reconstruction work.
As Le Figaro newspaper reports, the leader of France wrote on platform X this morning "We did it", also posting a video depicting the cathedral, while the melodious voice of Edith Piaf is heard.
Eight days before the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, Emmanuel Macron was inside the building flanked by the First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron, the mayor of the "city of light" Anne Hidalgo and the architect who designed the outdoor square .
Macron's tour is broadcast live on television. His walk inside Notre Dame began after 11:30 am. (Greece time) and will last two hours.
Emmanuel Macron will deliver a speech "in the square" of the cathedral on Saturday, December 7. The next day the first liturgy will be held in the church, which was engulfed in flames in April 2019
Five years after a fire destroyed France's historic cathedral, Notre Dame is preparing to reopen its doors to the public.
On Saturday, December 7, the day of the cathedral's inauguration – 24 hours before the first service – the French president, Emmanuel Macron, will be "present" to point out that it is "a form of rebirth of the building".
Aware of the international reach that the opening ceremony will receive, the leader of the Fifth French Republic will deliver a rather short speech demonstrating the importance of the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, as commented by the French newspaper Le Figaro.
In addition, the tenant of the Elysees is expected to thank the builders and all those who contributed to the restoration of the cathedral in record time from the bottom of his heart.
With fifteen million visitors a year, Notre Dame Cathedral is considered one of the top attractions of the French capital. It is both a place of worship and a monument, witnessing the history of Paris since its construction.
Almost five years after the fire in April 2019, Notre Dame is finally coming back to life officially welcoming the public on December 8, 2024. For the French press, December 8, 2024 will mark not only the rebirth of this architectural masterpiece, but and the perseverance and determination of all those who worked to restore it. A date to be remembered by all culture and heritage lovers.
“It is a landmark building in Paris, just like its forecourt, which houses the Ole de la Cite archaeological crypt, preserving the remnants of a Paris of the past.
The reopening of Notre Dame will be accompanied by a number of new features: a completely redesigned forecourt, free reservations to limit the flow of visitors and a tour route to discover the renovated treasures.
On Sunday 8 December, the first service will be held to mark this historic event, and celebrations will follow throughout the year until June 2025, in conjunction with the Jubilee Year for the Pilgrims. In addition, a free reservation system will be created through a special application, which will be accessible in a few days.
For those who wish to pray or attend the service, a special queue will be formed, although the wait can be long depending on the traffic of visitors.
For now, admission is free. A ticket is required to access the vault, a separate space that houses functional and historical objects.
However, entry can be paid. This was requested in an earlier statement by France's Minister of Culture, Rashida Dati, in Le Figaro newspaper, stressing that charging entry to Notre-Dame de Paris would save all churches in France. The ticket price is estimated at 5 euros. However, the minister was quick to clarify that the ticket is not related to the functions and services of the cathedral.
If admission to Notre Dame was charged, access to these religious ceremonies should be free. The forecourt has been redesigned to provide a more welcoming, plant-filled space, with facilities for visitors and worshippers. This transformation aims to make the experience of Notre Dame more spiritual, allowing visitors to enjoy the restored environment around this monument.
Visitors will be able to admire the restored bell tower as well as the ceiling of the main church and the choir. Three themed guided tours will be offered, each allowing visitors to discover different aspects of the cathedral, from its religious heritage to its works of art. Full guided tours and group access will be available from June 2025.
Source: protothema.gr