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An official date has finally been set for the long-awaited reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
After a devastating fire forced the historic landmark to close in 2019, the cathedral will begin welcoming visitors starting Dec. 7.
“The cathedral’s teams are mobilized to make the ceremonies for the reopening of Notre Dame on Dec. 7 and 8, moments of joy, peace, and fraternity in which as many people as possible can take part,” the cathedral’s website states.
Although the public won’t be able to attend the invitation-only reopening ceremonies, the event will be televised and streamed on social media to make it accessible to a broader international audience.
Once reopened, Notre Dame is expected to receive approximately 15 million annual visitors. To accommodate this influx of pilgrims and tourists, a new digital booking system will soon debut, allowing visitors to book free time slots to enter the iconic cathedral. Limited entry will also be available to those without a reservation, but lines are expected to be extended.
“During the first six months, until Pentecost 2025 (Sunday, June 8, 2025), access will be restricted to individual visitors and worshippers, with group visits allowed only after this period,” the website stated.
The highly expected reopening comes after Notre Dame caught fire in April 2019 during an extensive renovation project. The exact cause of the fire is unknown. However, it is believed that faulty electrical wiring or a cigarette butt are most likely to blame.
The cathedral website has posted renderings of the renovation and documented its progress, giving a glimpse of what Notre Dame looks like inside.
Clinton Franklin is a formally trained Computer Scientist and a writer at heart. Clinton is an avid observer of nature and a lover of people and diverse cultures. He adheres to the adage, “Think globally, but act locally.”
It is crucial to be forward-thinking but not a forward person. “Be kind to everyone you meet because each carries his heavy burden…” Plato.
Embrace the three Constants: Change, Justice, and Rightness.
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