GalleryThe Paris cathedral's grand re-opening weekend kicked off on Saturday, with a liturgical ceremony marked by the blessing of the monument's doors and the 're-awakening' of its organ.
France on Saturday, December 7, re-opened the doors of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral after a five-year closure, in a ceremony celebrating the rebirth of the Paris landmark ravaged by a devastating fire in 2019.
Rescue workers walk past the main entrance of Notre-Dame on Saturday morning. THIBAULT CAMUS / APSoldiers patrol in front of Notre-Dame on Saturday moring. LOUISE DELMOTTE / AP
French President Emmanuel Macron scored a major coup by attracting US President-elect Donald Trump, on his first foreign trip since his election. He was joined by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for three-way talks at the Elysée Palace.
French President Emmanuel Macron, US President-elect Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysée. SARAH MEYSSONNIER / REUTERS
Some 40 other leaders attended the ceremony, as well as many guests and VIPs.
Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, and Brigitte Macron. CHLOÉ SHARROCK/MYOP FOR LE MONDEWorld leaders, politicians and guests stand as the Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich reads during the ceremony. LUDOVIC MARIN / AFPGuests attend a ceremony to mark the re-opening of Notre-Dame in central Paris on December 7, 2024. THIBAULT CAMUS / AFP
Outside, people stood in the cold wind and rain to get a glimpse of the ceremony from television screens placed along the quay.
People queue at a security perimeter checkpoint. KEVIN COOMBS / REUTERSA French military soldier patrols near Notre-Dame. BERNAT ARMANGUE / APSpectators take snapshots outside Notre-Dame. BERNAT ARMANGUE / AP
The re-opening officially took place when Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich opened the doors to the cathedral by knocking on them three times, marking the start of the almost two-hour ceremony.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron watch, with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, as Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich inaugurates Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON / VIA REUTERSArchbishop Ulrich of Paris knocks on the cathedral doors with his staff to open them. CHLOÉ SHARROCK/MYOP FOR « LE MONDE »Archbishop Ulrich of Paris at the cathedral's reopening ceremony. CHLOÉ SHARROCK/MYOP FOR «LE MONDE»
Macron then gave a speech, expressing the "gratitude" of the French nation for the restoration of Notre-Dame.
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks in Notre-Dame Cathedral. THIBAULT CAMUS / APThe word "merci" ("thank you") is seen on the facade of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. SARAH MEYSSONNIER / REUTERSOvation in the cathedral for firefighters and workers. CHLOÉ SHARROCK/MYOP FOR LE MONDESpectators gather outside France's iconic Notre-Dame. ALESSANDRA TARANTINO / AP
The cathedral's four organists, Thierry Escaich, Olivier Latry, Vincent Dubois and Thibault Fajoles, took part in the musical re-awakening of the organ.
The South rose window and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris. LUDOVIC MARIN / AFPRenaud Capuçon, violinist, and Gautier Capuçon, cellist. CHLOÉ SHARROCK/MYOP FOR LE MONDE
The liturgical ceremony included a psalm for vespers, a homily by the bishop and a Magnificat, accompanied by the choir organ.
La Maîtrise de Notre-Dame choir. CHLOÉ SHARROCK/MYOP FOR LE MONDE
After the liturgical ceremony, a concert took place on the cathedral's parvis.
View of a light show on the facade of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. SARAH MEYSSONNIER / REUTERS
