Notre-Dame de Paris will enter a six-month reopening phase, the Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich has announced.
The cathedral – closed for five years due to restoration – is described by Ulrich as “much more beautiful” than before. Despite requests to restore it to its original state, Ulrich insists it will be more majestic than ever.
A grand ceremony will take place on Saturday, where Ulrich will knock three times on the door with his staff to symbolically reopen the cathedral.
Sunday will feature an inaugural morning mass with 170 bishops and priests from 106 Parisian parishes, followed by an evening mass open to the public.
An illustration of how the completed works will appear. Credit: Bureau Bas Smets
The reopening celebrations will extend beyond the weekend, with activities planned for eight days. Two masses will be held daily, including a special 10:30 service to thank those involved in the restoration, such as firefighters, patrons, and artisans. An evening mass at 18:30 during this “octave” week is open to the public, but reservations are required and have already been fully booked.
Archbishop Ulrich emphasises that the reopening period will last until Pentecost on June 8, 2025, with three daily masses and pilgrimages from across Paris, Île-de-France, and across France.
