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Reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral

Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris in just five years - it's a gamble worth taking!

On 15 April 2019, a major fire partially destroyed the upper part of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. After five years of work, the famous monument will reopen its doors on 8 December 2024.

Notre-Dame restoration work: timetable

Supervision of the restoration work has been conferred to architect Philippe Villeneuve. Step by step, the cathedral is being restored to its former glory:

  • its spire surmounted by its cross since 6 December 2023
  • a rooster at the top of the spire since 16 December 2023
  • its chevet cross since 24 May 2024
  • its angel with trumpet since 24 July 2024
  • its eight north belfry bells since 12 September 2024

Although everything must be ready for the reopening to the public on 8 December 2024, some of the work must continue beyond this date, including :

  • the restoration of the chevet and sacristy in 2025
  • the installation of stained glass windows in 2026
  • the restoration of the forecourt and the approach to the cathedral, its vegetation and the enhancement of the façade, under the direction of Belgian architect and landscape designer Bas Smets, to be completed in 2027.

Did you know?

The Olympic bell rung by the athletes after each victory at the Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Games, has joined one of the cathedral's towers.

Reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral to the public: 8 December 2024 at 6.30pm

While the parvis de Notre-Dame, the archeological crypt of the parvis de Notre-Dame and the Pont au Double - a footbridge reserved for pedestrian traffic allowing easy access from the parvis de Notre-Dame to the Left Bank and vice versa - are accessible to the public, the cathedral will reopen on Sunday 8 December 2024.

To make it easier to welcome visitors, the visit route has been completely redesigned. A free online ticketing service and a mobile application are also due to be launched in the autumn.

The new liturgical furniture (baptistery, altar, ambo, tabernacle, cathedra) are designed in bronze by the fonderie d'art Barthélémy Art in the Drôme. The sacred vases were designed in gold by l'Atelier d'orfèvrerie Marischael. The new chairs - 1,500 in all - are made of solid oak from Sologne.

The crown of thorns - an essential sacred relic for believers - is installed at the heart of a new 4-metre high reliquary, designed in cedar wood.

  • Please note: access for groups is planned for Pentecost 2025, on 9 June 2025, subject to change

However, access to the towers of Notre-Dame is closed to the public until further notice.

As for the festivities, the official inauguration (not open to the public) is scheduled for 7 December 2024, with the awakening of the organ, a liturgical celebration including a blessing, a Magnificat or a Te Deum, and vespers.

The inaugural mass (not open to the public) is scheduled for 8 December 2024 at 10.30am, with the consecration of the altar.

Finally, from 8 to 15 December 2024, an octave promises a solemn celebration every day, with some highlights:

  • 8 December 2024: the first public mass, by reservation, broadcast on France TV.
  • 12 December 2024: feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Latin American community
  • 13 December 2024: return of the crown of thorns
  • From 8 to 13 December 2024: the Cathedral will be open until 10pm
  • On 14 and 15 December 2024: the cathedral will be open until 8pm

Numerous cultural events will also accompany the reopening, under the banner ‘Notre-Dame de Paris: towards the reopening’:

  • Preparatory work for the return of the statue of the Virgin Mary: from 7 to 15 November 2024, a beautifully crafted copy of the statue of the Virgin Mary will circulate in Paris (after several months on the road in France). On 7 November 2024 at the Maison Médicale Jean Garnier (15th arrondissement) from 2pm to 4pm and at the church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption de Passy (16th arrondissement) from 6pm to 10pm. On 8 November 2024 at Saint-Joseph Hospital (14th arrondissement) from 12pm to 4pm and at Notre-Dame du Rosaire Church (14th arrondissement) from 6pm to 8.30pm. On 9 November 2024 at the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre (18th arrondissement) from 10am to 10.30pm. On 10 November 2024 at the church of Sainte-Marie des Batignolles (17th arrondissement) from 9am to 3pm and at the church of Notre-Dame de la Gare (13th arrondissement) from 6pm to 8.30pm. On 11 November 2024 at the Sainte Félicité Catholic maternity hospital (15th arrondissement) from 2.30pm to 9.30pm. On 12 November 2024 at the Maison Bakhita (18th arrondissement) from 9.45am to 12.30pm and at the Church of the Immaculate Conception (12th arrondissement) from 2pm to 10pm. On 13 November 2024 at the chapel of Hôpital Tenon (20th arrondissement) from 8am to 2pm and at the church of Notre-Dame de Lourdes (20th arrondissement) from 3pm to 11pm. On 14 November 2024 at l'église Notre-Dame des Champs (6th arrondissement) from 7.30am to 5pm and at l'église Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th arrondissement) from 7pm to 9.30pm. On 15 November 2024 at the Basilique Notre-Dame des Victoires (2nd arrondissement) from 8.30am to 2pm and at the église Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois (1st arrondissement) at 6pm, from where a procession will take place to the forecourt of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral marking the return of the original statue! All the information on the dedicated page
  • Rediscovering the sculptures of Notre-Dame de Paris: a new look at the Musée de Cluny collection, from 18 November 2024 to 16 March 2025
  • Notre-Dame de Paris: at the heart of the construction site at the Maison du chantier et des métiers, until the end of 2024
  • photo exhibitions on the faces and trades of the restoration on the palisades around the building site
  • a virtual experience Eternelle Notre-Dame at the Cité de l'Histoire
  • concerts by the Maîtrise Notre-Dame de Paris on 17 and 18 December 2024
  • a series of choral concerts at the Collège des Bernardins, on 9, 10 and 11 December 2024
  • 2024/2025 musical season of ’Sacred Music at Notre-Dame de Paris’ with 50 concerts, 20 international soloists, 15 guest orchestras and choirs, 12 recitals on the great organ, 6 world premieres. Concerts every Tuesday evening by the Maîtrise de Notre-Dame and every month a major event
  • the Monnaie de Paris is minting a collection of coins of excellence in association with Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral to mark the reopening of the monument

Find out more on the website of the cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS IN PICTURES

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Facade
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Vigile Pascale - Maîtrise de Notre Dame
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Baptistère
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Cathèdre
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Châsse-reliquaire - Couronne d'épines- Artisans
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Jean Charles de Castelbajac - Artisan
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Jean Charles de Castelbajac - Chasuble liturgique
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Jean Charles de Castelbajac - Croquis
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Jean Charles de Castelbajac - Vêtement liturgique
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Jean Charles de Castelbajac - Signature
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Maîtrise de Notre Dame
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Objets litugiques
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Portail Statue
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Tabernacle ouvert
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris - 2024 - Vierge à l'Enfant Statue

What to do around Notre-Dame de Paris

The Île de la Cité, on which Notre-Dame de Paris is located, has a wealth of architectural and heritage treasures to visit! There are also plenty of activities to do on your own, as a couple, with friends or as a family. Discover our top 5 must-do activities around Notre-Dame de Paris.

Visiting the monuments of Paris

Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is one of the capital's must-see monuments... and the list is long! You can also add the Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle - just a stone's throw from the famous cathedral - the Eiffel Tower, the Panthéon, the Châteaux of Versailles and Vincennes and the Palais Garnier. Another Gothic masterpiece not to be missed is the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis.

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Frequently asked questions

Where masses are celebrated ?

Until 8 December 2024, masses will be celebrated atNotre-Dame de Paris cathedral reopens to the public on 8 December 2024. the church of Saint-Germain L'Auxerrois in the 1st arrondissement of Paris.

When will Notre-Dame de Paris open?

Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral reopens to the public on 8 December 2024.

The hours are as follows from 8 December 2024:

  • 8 December 2024: 5.30pm to 10pm
  • From 9 to 13 December 2024: from 3.30pm to 10pm
  • 14 and 15 December 2024: 3.30pm to 10pm
  • From 16 December 2024: the cathedral returns to its usual opening times: every day from 7.45am to 7pm

When can I visit Notre-Dame de Paris?

You can visit the cathedral as soon as it reopens. Visitors must register online free of charge to then take advantage of a redesigned and facilitated tour route. A mobile application is due to be launched at the beginning of December 2024.

Reservations can also be made on the Notre-Dame de Paris website and on social networks. A choice of visit slots is available for the day before, the day before and on the day itself.

How can I attend the inauguration of Notre-Dame de Paris?

The first public mass - on 8 December 2024 at 6.30pm - is on reservation on the mobile app, social networks and the Notre-Dame de Paris website.

Help restore Notre-Dame ?

Whether you are French or foreign, it is possible to make a donation to support the cathedral and contribute to its restoration.

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