The Archbishop of Paris knocks three times to mark the official reopening of the doors of Notre-Dame

The Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich reopened Notre-Dame Cathedral on Saturday by symbolically knocking three times on its doors and entering this 12th century monument devastated by a fire in 2019.

Dressed in new designer clothes and carrying a stick cut from one of the roof beams that survived the inferno, Ulrich ordered the cathedral to “open your doors” before joining hundreds of VIPs at the interior, including President Emmanuel Macron and US President-elect Donald Trump.

Donald Trump arrived at Notre-Dame Cathedral

US President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Britain’s Prince William inside Notre Dame Cathedral. © Ludovic Marin, AFP

Fun facts about Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris

Much more than a place of worship or a popular tourist destination, Notre-Dame reflects the heart and soul of the capital and, in many ways, its history reflects that of the capital.

Florence Villeminot from FRANCE 24 gives you some amusing anecdotes about what Parisians affectionately call “the old lady”.

The reopening of Notre-Dame is celebrated all over the world, even in New York

This great event is celebrated all over the world, even on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, in the United States.

Report by FRANCE 24 correspondent in New York, Jessica Le Masurier, from Saint John the Divine Cathedral in Harlem.

Ousted French Prime Minister Michel Barnier arrives at Notre-Dame

American politician John Kerry (left), French Prime Minister Michel Barnier (right) and his wife Isabelle Barnier (center) arrive for a ceremony marking the reopening of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris .

Around fifty heads of state and government are expected in the French capital to attend the ceremony marking the reconstruction of this Gothic masterpiece, five years after the 2019 fire which ravaged this world heritage monument and knocked back his arrow.

© Christophe Petit Tesson, AFP

People eagerly await the start of the reopening ceremony

People gather near the iconic Notre-Dame de France Cathedral on Saturday, December 7. © Louise Delmotte, AP



People walk past the iconic Notre-Dame de France Cathedral reflected in a puddle. ©Alessandra Tarantino, AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the French presidential palace

President Emmanuel Macron will hold three-way talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and US President-elect Donald Trump, the French presidency announced.

The discussions are taking place at the Elysée, as the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame Cathedral approaches.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky poses as he arrives for a meeting with the French president at the Elysée, in Paris, December 7, 2024. © Julien de Rosa, AFP

The crowd heads towards Notre-Dame Cathedral before the opening ceremony

Although the Notre-Dame site itself is closed to the public, swarms have been seen heading towards the cathedral to attend the grand reopening ceremony which is due to begin at 7:00 p.m.

“On the banks of the Seine, up to 40,000 people will be able to attend the inauguration” of Notre-Dame, reported FRANCE 24 journalist Clovis Casali live from the scene.

The islet on which Notre-Dame stands, the Île de la Cité, is “completely cut off” from the rest of the city, he added.

Security will be increased throughout the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year.

Emmanuel Macron welcomes Donald Trump on his arrival at the Élysée

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed US President-elect Donald Trump to the Élysée in Paris on Saturday for talks, ahead of a ceremony marking the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after it was ravaged by fire.

“It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now,” Trump said.

Macron called his guest’s arrival a “great honor.”

President Emmanuel Macron welcomes US President-elect Donald Trump before a meeting at the Elysée in Paris on December 7, 2024. © Julien de Rosa, AFP

Macron is to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after Trump. It is unclear whether Trump and Zelensky will meet.

Program for the Notre-Dame reopening ceremony

6:15 p.m. – French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron will arrive in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

6:20 p.m. – Macron will host heads of state from around the world, including US President-elect Donald Trump.

7:00 p.m. – The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, will symbolically reopen the large wooden doors of Notre-Dame by knocking three times, marking the start of the two-hour ceremony.

7:15 p.m. – A documentary film on the reconstruction of the cathedral will be shown, followed by a tribute to all those who contributed to its rebirth as well as to the firefighters who tried to minimize the damage on April 15, 2019. A musical performance by Renaud and Gautier Capucon will mark the end of this part of the ceremony.

7:30 p.m. – Macron will give a short speech.

7:45 p.m. – A reopening mass will take place, including a procession of the baptistery and a revival of the grand organ.

8:40 p.m. – The ceremony will end and Macron, as well as all the other heads of state, will exit.

Notre Dame awaits the arrival of Donald Trump

French journalist Christian Chesnot, who works for National Public Radio, posted a photo on X des chairs with the names of the VIP guests who will attend tonight’s ceremony.

Macron will meet Trump and Zelensky on the reopening of Notre-Dame backstage

With US President-elect Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and dozens of other world leaders present Saturday for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, President Emmanuel Macron succeeded in making Paris the capital of international diplomacy of day. Details by Morgan Ayre.