Countdown to the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris: program of festivities unveiled

With 24 days to go until the long-awaited reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, ravaged by fire in 2019, the Diocese of Paris presented the program of celebrations from the Collège des Bernardins, at a press conference on Wednesday November 13. From December 7 to 15, a series of solemn ceremonies will mark this historic event.

Opening ceremony – December 7
On Saturday, December 7, the cathedral will host an inauguration ceremony attended by the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, who will deliver a speech on the forecourt. Following this address, the Archbishop of Paris will symbolically open the doors of the building with his crosier, then proceed to “awaken the organ” with a solemn call. The ceremony will include liturgical chants, the *Magnificat* and the *Te Deum*, as well as a blessing. This exceptional event, limited to a guest list, will be broadcast by France Télévision.

Inaugural mass – December 8
The following day, Sunday December 8, the first mass will be celebrated with the consecration of the altar. This mass will be enriched by symbolic rites, such as the laying of relics and the offering of incense. A buffet will be organized to welcome those in need.

Festive octave from December 8 to 15
December 8 marks the start of a week of festivities, known as the “octave”, during which the cathedral will remain open to the public. Several highlights will punctuate this period, including the solemn reception of the crown of thorns on December 13. A mass will also be held to pay tribute to the Paris firefighters and all those involved in the restoration of Notre-Dame.

Back to normal operation – from December 16
From December 16, Notre-Dame will return to its normal daily rhythm, with three masses a day, as before the fire. The Maîtrise de Notre-Dame de Paris will perform two concerts on December 17 and 18.

Access regulated by reservation
To anticipate the influx, a reservation system has been set up. Accessible via the cathedral’s website and a dedicated application, this system will enable visitors to reserve an individual slot up to 48 hours in advance. Free access without reservation will also remain possible.

Welcome and free access: an asserted mission
In preparation for the reopening, the Paris diocese has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining free access to the cathedral, while emphasizing the need to safeguard religious heritage. “We look forward to welcoming the 15 million visitors expected under the vaults of Notre-Dame, and to sharing its beauty with them”, declared the archbishop, adding that the principle of free access remains a priority, even in the context of an ongoing dialogue with the Conférence des évêques de France to consider solutions for the sustainable preservation of the heritage.