Notre-Dame Cathedral Reopening

The images of the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the capital's architectural symbols, have been seen around the world. Nearly five years after the disaster, and thanks to the expertise of several hundred passionate craftsmen and architects, the building has been reborn and is preparing to welcome the public back on 8 December 2024. 

Visitors to Paris during the Olympic and Paralympic Games will already be able to admire Viollet-le-Duc's iconic spire this summer, the reconstruction of which was completed in February. The roofs of the nave and choir are also due to be completely restored over the coming months. Inside, work is continuing on cleaning the walls, stained glass windows and vaults, not forgetting the organ with its 8,000 pipes, as well as restoring the black and white chequered floors. 

While awaiting the reopening, visitors can go behind the scenes of the monument and its reconstruction by taking part in an immersive virtual reality experience called Eternelle Notre-Dame, accessible from the forecourt.

Work continues until 2026

Although a large part of the work has already been completed, the works will continue beyond the reopening to the public. 

The next stages in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame include the restoration of the apse and sacristy in 2025 and the installation, by 2026, of contemporary stained glass windows, the creation of which is currently the subject of an invitation to tender. 

Very popular with French and international visitors, Notre-Dame cathedral is expected to welcome between 12 and 15 million people a year once it is reopened, compared with 10 to 12 million before the fire.

How to visit Notre-Dame de Paris
 

Very popular with French and international visitors, Notre-Dame cathedral is expected to welcome between 12 and 15 million people a year after the monument reopens, compared with 10 to 12 million before the fire. In view of this expected boom, visitors will have to register on the building's website or connect to a dedicated application to book a visit. See you in mid-November for details of the ceremonies and how to visit Notre-Dame.

Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral should be open to groups again from spring 2025, probably in May or June.

What festivities are planned around the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris?

While the full details of the festivities organised to mark the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris will not be known until November 2024, certain elements of the programme have already been unveiled:

• the inauguration of the cathedral will take place on 7 December 2024 during a liturgical celebration with a blessing, a Magnificat or a Te Deum followed by vespers.
• The new altar of Notre-Dame de Paris will be consecrated on 8 December during a first mass.
• The religious festivities will continue from 8 to 15 December 2024, with daily celebrations.

A number of cultural events are planned in Paris to celebrate the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris:
 

• Choir concerts at the Collège des Bernardins on the days following the reopening (from 9 to 11 December 2024).
• The Notre-Dame de Paris choir will also be giving concerts.
• In the run-up to the reopening, you can visit the cathedral's forecourt to discover the various trades and skills involved in restoring the monument, with photo exhibitions both outside and under the forecourt at the Maison du chantier et des métiers.
• Just off the Ile de la Cité, in the Sorbonne district, the Musée de Cluny will be spotlighting the sculptures of Notre-Dame de Paris (from 18 November 2024 to 16 March 2025).
• In the La Défense district, easily accessible by public transport, the Cité de l'Histoire is offering an immersive virtual reality experience - ‘Eternelle Notre-Dame’ - for the cathedral. 

Opposite Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, the Square René Viviani near the Pont au Double will be hosting a Christmas craft market from 29 November to 25 December. Some forty chalets will be selling ceramics, jewellery, gourmet products to sample on the spot, and leather goods, all designed to showcase French know-how.

Work continues until 2028

While much of the work has already been completed, the project will continue beyond the time when the church is reopened to the public. 

The next stages in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame include the restoration of the apse and sacristy in 2025 and the installation of contemporary stained glass windows by 2026. Then it will be time to unveil the façade and forecourt, which will be planted with 150 trees, and a covered promenade in 2028.

Find out more :

• Notre-Dame de Paris
• Behind the scenes at the Notre-Dame de Paris construction site

Read also:

• Notre-Dame de Paris in 6 secrets