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Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris’s iconic 860-year-old landmark, is set to reopen on December 8. The rapid reconstruction effort followed the devastating fire of 2019.
As the reopening date of 860-Year-Old Notre-Dame approaches, the cathedral is emerging not just restored but transformed, with modern touches that promise to enchant visitors anew.
The fire-blackened rubble has been replaced by gleaming stone, and the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, is eager to “welcome the whole world” to the revamped interior. Central to the cathedral’s new look are vestments designed by the renowned French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, known as “JC/DC” among his celebrity friends. Castelbajac, famous for his whimsical creations such as Madonna’s teddy bear coat, has drawn inspiration from the immense gold cross in the cathedral’s choir, an element miraculously spared by the flames. His designs for priests, archbishops, bishops, and deacons feature geometric patterns and primary colors, evoking the style of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian.
In addition to the vibrant vestments, the cathedral will boast massive bronze furniture, described as highly stylized and reminiscent of the medieval fantasy series “Game of Thrones.” This new furniture, including a baptismal font, altar, and tabernacle, is being crafted in southern France and will be installed by November.
Comfort and simplicity define the new seating for the faithful, with 1,500 to 2,000 light oak chairs on order. The restoration of the chapels has brought their painted decorations back to vivid life, complemented by seven new tapestries and six new stained glass windows that will be added post-reopening. Contemporary artists, including Daniel Buren, Herve Di Rosa, and Yan Pei-Ming, are among the 110 contenders vying to create these windows.
Rector Olivier Ribadeau Dumas promises future visitors a “strong cultural and spiritual experience” at the rejuvenated cathedral. With an anticipated 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million pre-fire, Notre-Dame is poised to become a more significant draw than ever. Key elements of the reconstruction, such as the famous spire, wooden frames, golden crosses, and the rooster weather-vane, are already complete. State-of-the-art fire protection systems and the restored bells for the north tower will be installed in the coming months, and the new great organ is nearing completion.
Reservations for visiting Notre-Dame, free of charge, will open a week before the December 8 reopening, prioritizing individual visitors over groups for the first six months. The cathedral will accommodate 2,500 people at once and up to 40,000 per day; double the capacity of the Palace of Versailles and 10,000 more than the Louvre.
As Notre-Dame prepares to open its doors once again, the blend of historical reverence and modern innovation promises a revival that will captivate and inspire visitors from around the globe.
With AFP
