Notre-Dame to Reopen in Weekend of December 7 and 8, Over Five Years After Fire

paris - The Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris will reopen to the public on the weekend of Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, over five years after being devastated by a fire. French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver a speech on the cathedral square before the reopening.

The Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris is set to reopen for the public on the weekend of Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, marking over five years since it was tragically destroyed by a fire. French President Emmanuel Macron will address the public on the cathedral square in a speech, as announced by the Elysée on Wednesday.

Prior to the official reopening, President Macron will visit the restoration works for the final time on November 29. His team praises the five-year reconstruction project as a 'French success that all French people can be proud of,' countering negative narratives about France's decline.

A debate arose in line with French tradition regarding the location of the speech: should Macron deliver it on the cathedral square or during the opening ceremony inside the cathedral? However, the latter would not comply with the strict separation of church and state in France. Hence, the speech will take place in front of the cathedral on Saturday, December 7.

Foreign heads of state and government leaders have been invited to the ceremony, but Pope Francis, invited by Macron, will be absent. Macron will attend the first public mass on December 8. An adviser stated that the president can attend services, but 'never receives communion.'