Notre Dame awaits: Paris bolsters security for grand reopening
Thousands of officers will oversee the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on December 7th and 8th. Police Prefect Laurent Nunez has announced exceptional security measures.
The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris will be an event of particular significance, attracting the attention of the entire world. It is scheduled for 7th and 8th December. The Paris Police Prefect, Laurent Nunez, has announced that exceptional security measures will be implemented for this event. Thousands of police officers, gendarmerie, and anti-terrorist units will participate.
We were greatly inspired by what we accomplished during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games—stated Nunez, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency.
Nunez emphasised that the event's organisation includes both public access and security requirements. In terms of the scale of police operations, the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral is compared to a "small segment of the opening ceremony of the Olympics."
During the 7th and 8th December ceremony, "thousands" of police and gendarmerie officers will be mobilised. The Detective and Intervention Brigade (BRI), which specialises in combating organised crime, will remain on standby. Nunez noted that despite the "very high terrorist threat" in France, there is currently no specific threat to this event.
Ceremonies and restrictions
On 7th December, leaders from approximately 50 countries are expected to attend, necessitating the presence of officers inside the cathedral as well. Only guests, up to 3,000 people, will be allowed in the square before Notre Dame. The banks of the Seine will accommodate about 13,000 people.
Special security measures will be in place throughout the Île de la Cité and the riverbank, leading to vehicle and trade restrictions throughout the weekend. Some metro stations will be closed.
Notre Dame will be open again for visitors
The ceremony on 7th December will be secular, while on 8th December, the first mass will be held, celebrated by the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich. Visitors will return to the cathedral after a five-year hiatus due to the tragic fire in April 2019.
The historic building was significantly damaged during the fire. The Paris fire brigade battled the flames that engulfed the wooden roof framework. The cathedral, a symbol of Paris, was rebuilt thanks to the dedication of donors worldwide.
