Travel News, Paris, France — Paris is rejoicing as Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens, one of Paris’ most famous tourist landmarks. The city’s extraordinary 860-year-old old masterpiece medieval Gothic Cathedral was massively damaged in a tragic fire in April of 2019.
The exquisite must-see landmark building in the heart of Paris has once again opened its doors to the public and worshipers with an exclusive grand opening on December 7, 2024, after a five-year closure and massive rebuilding effort.
Tragic Cathedral fire on April 15, 2019
A fire broke out in the cathedral’s attic, destroying its enormous timber roof and engulfing the building’s grand steeple and spire, resulting in 750 tons of rubble raining down on the cathedral stone floor below.
Delays in calling the fire brigade allowed the fire to spread further within the structure extending the damage to nearly all of the roof. Luckily the structural damage was localised to the roof after the response of nearly 500 firefighters that helped extinguish the blaze for over 15 hours.
Viewers watched hopelessly on live television, much to the horror of Parisians and the rest of the world, as the dramatic fire rampaged through the roof sending the orange hue of flames skyward, ending with the eventual crashing down of the spire and the roof’s collapse. Luckily no one was killed or injured in the fire.
Billion dollar four-year renovation
Following the fire, France’s President Macron vowed to rebuild the landmark within five years, which was accomplished in December 2024. The astonishing renovation not only repaired the roof and its massive structural wooden timber beams, known as ‘the forest’, but also included a complete overhaul of the interior, which was deteriorating since the massive renovation in the 1830s when the city was contemplating demolishing the sacred structure.
Notre-Dame Cathedral Reopens: ceremonies December 7 and 8, 2024
The reopening of the Cathedral was celebrated by 35 world leaders in a private, invitation-only ceremony. Dignitaries such as Prince William, Prince of Wales and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensk amoung many others were present at the event.
How can visitors see the newly opened Norte-Dame Cathedral?
The Notre-Dame (Our Lady of Paris) Cathedral is one of Paris’ most famous tourist destinations. Constructed in the 12th century, the massive Cathedral is located on the Île de la Cité between the left and right banks of the Seine in the 4th arrondissement in the medieval heart of Paris.
The reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral is now open to all, freely without entry fees. Visitors were allowed access to the cathedral after the 8th of December, 2024 reopening.
To reduce wait times, visitors can Register online before visiting to secure a time. Reservations can be made on the official Notre-Dame de Paris website. A choice of visiting times are available up to two days in advance. The tour of Notre Dame takes approximately 30 minutes, however, you may want to take additional time to enjoy the site, worship, reflect, etc. In addition, a phone app has also been launched to reserve times.
Avoiding Scams and ticket fraud: The official Notre Dame de Paris website indicates that “Only the passes reserved on this website are official and free of charge. No other platform or person is authorised to offer or sell these passes.”
Notre-Dame Nearly demolished in 1830s
At the end of the French Revolution at the turn of the 18th century, Notre Dame de Paris was in such a poor state of repair that the government considered demolishing the centuries-old building.
A now famous admirer of the Cathedral, Victor Hugo wrote the novel ‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame’ in 1831 in order to raise awareness and save the Church. Due to the massive success of the novel, the public sentiment changed for Notre-Dame and support for the preservation of the incredible structure grew. In 1844, King Louis Phillippe — the last French Monarch to bear the moniker of King — decreed that the church be saved and restoration began.