Notre Dame reopens to the public today, 5 years after fire. Here’s what to know

Paris was abuzz with excitement after the beloved Notre Dame Cathedral reopened after a devastating fire. 

The April 2019 blaze broke out in the church’s roof space, destroying its iconic spire and damaging the cathedral’s roof and upper walls. Restoration work has been underway on the 860-year-old building ever since. 

While there is still more work to be done to ensure the restored medieval cathedral can dominate the Paris skyline for centuries to come, the church opened its doors to the public Saturday. Demand for access was huge, with people coming from near and far to line the streets of Paris and wait to see the cathedral reopen. 

What happened when Notre Dame Cathedral reopened? 

The doors of Notre Dame Cathedral were opened by Laurent Ulrich, the Archbishop of Paris, in a traditional ceremony. He knocked on the heavy front doors of the medieval church with a crozier, or staff. The staff was made of wood salvaged from the cathedral’s charred roof, according to the Associated Press. 

A psalm was sung from within the cathedral. The cathedral’s 8,000-pipe organ was also used to respond to the archbishop’s invocation, as four organists performed, the AP reported. After the psalm was sung three times, the doors opened. 

Guests entered through the cathedral’s western facade for a ceremony “steeped in history,” the AP reported. It was followed by a star-studded prerecorded concert, featuring artists including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, according to the Associated Press. The performances focused on a message of harmony that celebrated the cathedral’s resurrection and role as a sanctuary. 

Ulrich and other clergy members wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by renowned French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Castelbajac combined modern elements with medieval touches on colorful pieces for more than 700 celebrants, the AP reported.

Speaking inside the cathedral, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave.

“I stand before you … to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said.

“Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said, according to the AP.

On Sunday, Ulrich will lead an inaugural Mass in the cathedral. He will consecrate Notre Dame’s new contemporary alter, which replaces the one crushed by the spire in the 2019 blaze. 

Restoring Notre Dame Cathedral inspires a new generation 

As the flames engulfed Notre Dame on that spring 2019 day, many feared that even if the cathedral survived the blaze, the skills needed to restore it were long lost. But it turned out there were still many traditional craftsmen and women quietly at work in France, and soon an army of artisans was drafted to restore the historic monument. It was an assignment of a lifetime, according to decorative painter Camille Schmoeker. 

“Every day my coworkers and I were pinching ourselves, like, ‘We are here,'” said Schmoeker, who described her job as applying makeup touch-ups over the work of stonemasons. “It’s gratifying to know that I have helped create something better than what it was, and it will outlast my lifetime.” 

Chief architect Philippe Villeneuve said the restoration shone a new light on traditional ways of working in construction and restoration. American carpenter Hank Silver, who worked on rebuilding the cathedral’s timber roof, said the fire had a surprising effect on him and other workers. 

“It’s maybe a bit of a maybe a controversial point to say, but in many ways, this fire has been a great gift, not just to me personally, but (to) young people who really otherwise would never know that they could have a career as a traditional carpenter, stone cutter, mason. These trades are in the public eye again,” Silver said. “I think there’s nothing better you can do with your life, really.” 

For the artisans who have dedicated the past half-decade of their lives to rebuilding the historic site, the reopening is a bittersweet moment. 

“I never thought I would get to do something like that,” said apprentice roofer Mael Testas. 

“I feel like it’s in a way my little baby, and now it’s all grown up,” Silver said. “Now it’s going to be everyone’s to visit.” 

World leaders, including Trump, gather at Notre Dame Cathedral

Many world leaders will be among the 1,500 guests attending the reopening celebration at Notre Dame Cathedral. President Biden will not be in attendance, but first lady Jill Biden will appear. President-elect Donald Trump will also be present. They, as well as leaders and dignitaries including England’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will be greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron. 

Macron, who has faced political turmoil in recent days, was behind the ambitious decision to complete the cathedral’s restoration in just five years. Donations from across the world helped speed the reconstruction process along. Americans were the most generous donors, with 45,000 United States citizens donating a total of $75 million. The reconstruction cost about 700 million euros, or $737 million. 

The reopening marks Trump’s first international trip since he was reelected in November. He is set to meet with Macron and Prince William during his time in Paris. It was not immediately clear if Trump would meet with Zelenskyy The French president and other European leaders are trying to persuade Trump to continue to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia.