Notre Dame Nears Reopening After Five-Year Restoration Effort

French President Emmanuel Macron highlights collective achievement as the cathedral prepares to welcome visitors while exterior work continues.

Notre Dame Cathedral is set to reopen its interior to the public on December 8, 2024, nearly five years after the devastating fire in April 2019.
President Emmanuel Macron conducted a final tour of the restoration site, emphasizing the collaborative effort of over 2,000 artisans, engineers, and workers involved in the project.
While the interior restoration is complete, scaffolding and cranes remain on parts of the cathedral's exterior, with some work expected to continue into 2025 or beyond.
The reopening includes a liturgical ceremony and inaugural mass, with free public access during the first week and an anticipated annual visitor count of 15 million.
Debates persist over the restoration's timeline and design choices, including plans for new stained glass windows, as some critics view the reopening as politically motivated.