Macron hails Notre Dame rebuild as 'shock of hope' ahead of reopening

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, visited the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, where reconstruction work following the 2019 fire is nearing completion. Macron recalled that the event was a "shock," the reopening in December is expected to be an equally strong "shock of hope."

During his visit, Macron met with craftsmen and specialists involved in the five-year renovation process. They discussed how the reconstruction unfolded and the unexpected archaeological discoveries made. Traditional methods and materials were used to restore Notre Dame's splendor.

During Macron's visit, approximately 1,300 of the 2,000 people working on the reconstruction gathered in front of the cathedral. The project, which has cost about $770 million and was made possible by donations from around the world, cost about $770 million.

The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral is scheduled for December 7th and 8th. The first day will be political, with representatives from countries financially supporting the reconstruction in attendance. On December 8th, the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, will celebrate the first Mass, with over 150 bishops, priests, and faithful from various parishes expected to attend.

It is known that Pope Francis will not participate in the ceremonial service. He emphasized that he did not want his presence to distract from the event.

The cathedral will open to visitors on December 8th. During the first week after opening, visitors can enter until 10 PM ET. Free tickets can be reserved on the day of the visit or one to two days in advance. The cathedral can accommodate approximately 2,000 to 3,300 people.