Notre-Dame de Paris: Macron visits the construction site under social tension

Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are visiting theNotre-Dame de Paris Cathedral construction site today, Friday ,April 14, 2023, to review the progress of restoration work, four years after the fire that ravaged this historic monument on April 15, 2019. The President of the Republic will be accompanied by the Minister of Culture Rima Abdul-Malak, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Paris, and Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau-Dumas, rector-archpriest of the Cathedral.

During this visit, Emmanuel Macron will be able to observe the restored transept, the ambulatory of the apse and the completion of the reconstruction of the "stool" that will support the new spire. The installation of the latter will begin at the end of the month and will be completed by the end of the year. Following a previous visit last January, the head of state had confirmed a reopening of the cathedral in 2024, probably on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

However, this visit takes place in a tense social context, since April 14 is also marked by the decisions of the Constitutional Council on the pension reform project. Before knowing the conclusions, Emmanuel Macron will meet with Elisabeth Borne and several ministers at 4:00 p.m. to take stock of the consultations organized by the Prime Minister with political forces and social partners in recent weeks.

It should be noted that the geographical proximity between Notre-Dame de Paris and the rue de Montpensier, where the Constitutional Council is located, will have to be taken into account to avoid any overflow or external intervention during the visit of the President of the Republic.

• To be read
• Tips for the week of December 23 - 29, 2024 in Paris: free or cheap outings
• What to do in Paris in December 2024? Discover this month's events in the Paris Region
• New Year's Eve 2024-2025 in Paris: December 31, 2024 parties by arrondissement

This visit ofEmmanuel Macron will allow to highlight the progress of the construction of the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris and to ensure its reopening in 2024. Nevertheless, the social tension linked to the decisions of the Constitutional Council on the pension reform project has overshadowed this moment of discovery.

[midroll]

Prohibited demonstrations near the Constitutional Council: Louvre-Rivoli metro closed on April 14
Pensions, demonstrations and closure of the metro in Paris: on April 14, 2023, the Constitutional Council must decide on the pension reform, leading to calls for demonstrations. The Prefecture of Police is taking preventive measures. [Read more]

Notre-Dame de Paris: exhibitions to see in the vicinity of the famous cathedral
Are you walking around the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral? Discover the exhibitions organized in the surroundings, to extend your walk. [Read more]

Reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral: dates, opening times and full programme for the week
The fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris will soon be a thing of the past! Reopening date, opening hours and program await you in this article, which summarizes the week-long reopening of the monument over 8 days! [Read more]

Notre-Dame de Paris at the heart of the construction site, the free exhibition under the forecourt in photos
The Notre-Dame de Paris: au coeur du chantier exhibition, which takes place beneath the cathedral's forecourt, is now unveiled. From March 7, 2023, until the monument reopens, discover the work of the hundreds of men and women who are rebuilding the cathedral. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the highlights of the titanic construction site, to discover the work of the journeymen and craftsmen, and the challenges of reconstruction. [Read more]

Notre-Dame de Paris at the Cité de l'architecture: our photos of the monumental exhibition
The Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine and the Etablissement public chargé de la conservation et de la restauration de la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, the contracting authority for the restoration project, invite you to discover the exhibition Notre-Dame de Paris - Des bâtisseurs aux restaurateurs. On view from February 15, 2023 to June 2, 2024, this exhibition looks back at the history of the cathedral's construction, the current worksite with its constraints and fantastic discoveries, and presents the restored works and sculptures that will join the cathedral for its opening in 2024. [Read more]