Notre Dame reopening ceremony, 5 years after devastating fire

NEW YORK - Notre Dame Cathedral welcomed visitors again on Saturday, more than five years after a devastating fire severely damaged the iconic landmark.

The reopening featured invite-only ceremonies throughout the weekend, with notable attendees including President-elect Donald Trump, First Lady Jill Biden, and numerous world leaders and dignitaries. Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier on Saturday ahead of the celebrations.

This photograph shows the nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, on November 29, 2024. The Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to re-open early December 2024, with a planned weekend of ceremonies on December 7 and 8, 2024, five years after the 2019

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Due to stormy weather forecasts, plans were adjusted on Friday to move all Saturday events indoors. Despite the change, the highlights will include the grand reopening of the cathedral's massive doors, the return of its powerful organ, and the celebration of the first Mass.

A Catholic cleric carries a wooden cross during the Good Friday celebrations and the third anniversary of the Notre-Dame fire in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France on April 15, 2022. (Photo by Jiro Mochizuki/Anadolu Agency via Getty I

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Although construction work continues outside, the restored interiors look more magnificent than they have for generations. The rector says "no one alive has seen the cathedral" as it looks now.

"The blondness of the stone, the brilliance of the paintings, the light through the stained glass windows, all the artworks, all the paintings, that were cleaned, the statues that were restored," he said.

Who will be there?

President-elect Donald Trump and dozens of heads of state and government accepted invites from French President Emmanuel Macron. First Lady Jill Biden will also be in attendance.

Democratic President Joe Biden was invited as well but did not attend. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre cited a scheduling conflict.

Public viewing areas capable of holding 40,000 people will be set up on the Seine’s southern bank, so spectators can follow the two days of events on screens.

Notre Dame Saturday reopening events 

During part one of Notre Dame's rebirth on Saturday evening, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich will lead more than 1,500 guests through a reopening service.

Ulrich would first reopen Notre Dame's great doors — by tapping them with his crosier, or bishop's staff. In response to the archbishop's door-knocks, the cathedral will erupt into song, its choirs once again filling the cavernous spaces.

After the service, opera singers Pretty Yende, from South Africa, and Julie Fuchs, from France; Chinese pianist Lang Lang; cellist Yo-Yo Ma; Benin-born singer Angelique Kidjo; Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji and others will perform at a concert Saturday evening for the cathedral and those who took part in the reconstruction, says the show's broadcaster, France Télévisions.

Notre Dame Sunday reopening events

Part two, on Sunday, is an inaugural Mass, with special rites to consecrate the main altar.

Nearly 170 bishops from France and other countries will join the celebration, as well as priests from all 106 parishes in the Paris diocese, the cathedral website says.

It says Mass will be followed by a "fraternal buffet" for the needy.

Public viewing areas capable of holding 40,000 people will be set up on the Seine’s southern bank, so spectators can follow the two days of events on screens, the police chief said.

FOX Digital contributed to this report.