Macron visit sparks hope ahead of Notre Dame reopening
Emmanuel Macron visited the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Friday, which is being rebuilt after the dramatic fire. The French president emphasized its "impact" and expressed hope that its reconstruction would be an equally strong "shock of hope."
President of France Emmanuel Macron visited the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, where the reconstruction work following the 2019 fire is nearing its end. Macron recalled that the event was a "shock," and the reopening of the cathedral in December is to be an equally strong "shock of hope."
During his visit, Macron met with craftsmen and specialists involved in the five-year renovation of the cathedral. They discussed how the reconstruction unfolded and the unexpected archaeological discoveries made. Traditional methods and materials were used to restore Notre Dame's splendour.
During Macron's visit to Notre Dame, approximately 1,300 of the 2,000 people working on the reconstruction gathered in front of the cathedral. The project cost about £635 million, and funds from donors worldwide made the restoration possible.
The grand reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral is scheduled for 7th and 8th December. The first day will be political, with representatives of countries financially supporting the reconstruction participating. On 8th December, the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, will celebrate the first Mass, with over 150 bishops, priests, and faithful from various parishes expected to attend.
It is known that Francis will not participate in the ceremonial service. The Pope emphasised that he did not want his presence to distract from the event.
The cathedral will open to visitors on 8th December. During the first week after opening, visitors will be able to enter until 3 AM GMT. Free tickets can be reserved on the day of the visit or one to two days prior. The cathedral can accommodate about 2,000 to 3,300 people.
