PARIS – Notre Dame Cathedral is set to reveal its newly restored self to the public on Friday, marking a significant milestone in its rebirth following the destructive fire in 2019.
The culmination of over five years of intense reconstruction efforts, the unveiling will precede the reopening of the iconic monument for religious services on December 8, a momentous occasion eagerly anticipated by many.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to make his final visit to the site before the reopening, providing him with the opportunity to personally witness the restored interiors and the remarkable progress made in the reconstruction process. The President’s two-hour tour will be broadcast live, offering viewers a captivating glimpse of the renovated stonework, vibrant colors, and other impressive results of the extensive restoration work.
Joined by artisans, architects, business leaders, and donors, Macron is expected to pay tribute to the craftsmanship and dedication of all those who worked to bring Notre Dame back to life.
The visit kicks off a series of events ushering in the reopening of the 12th-century Gothic masterpiece.
Macron will return on Dec. 7 to deliver an address and attend the consecration of the new altar during a solemn Mass the following day.
Macron’s administration is hailing the reconstruction as a symbol of national unity and French can-do.
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