On December 7, 2024, the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris reopens its doors for a unique evening, combining an official ceremony with an exceptional concert. After five years of restoration following the fire that marked the monument's history, this evening, broadcast worldwide, brings together renowned artists.
The program for this unique concert to mark the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris combines classical music, opera and popular artists such as Gustavo Dudamel, Lang Lang, Clara Luciani and many others.
Lyrical song and classical music will be the stars of this exceptional concert to celebrate the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris. The event will feature the Maîtrise de Notre-Dame de Paris and the Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France, conducted by renowned Venezuelan maestro Gustavo Dudamel.
Among the artists present, Chinese virtuoso pianist Lang Lang, known for his performances around the world, will embody musical excellence. A resident of Paris, Lang Lang has close ties with the French capital, where he took part in a tribute concert following the Notre-Dame fire in 2019. A regular at prestigious events, he notably performed at the coronation of Charles III in 2023, an event he shares with South African soprano Pretty Yende, also expected to perform at this concert. Alongside them, Franco-Swiss tenor Benjamin Bernheim, known for his participation in the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, will bring his powerful, emotional voice.
The concert will not be limited to classical music: a more modern dimension will be offered by popular artists such as Clara Luciani, Vianney and Garou, who will seduce a wide audience with their performances. Angélique Kidjo, a Franco-Beninese artist celebrating 40 years in the music business, will bring an unrivalled cultural richness thanks to her eclectic style.
The program also includes Hiba Tawaji, a Lebanese singer who made a name for herself in France when she took part in "The Voice" in 2015. In 2016, she reprised the role of Esmerelda in the famous musical Notre-Dame de Paris, sealing a unique bond with the cathedral.
Another possible but unconfirmed surprise is the participation of the legendary Paul McCartney, now 82. His presence remains likely, as he is already in Paris for his concerts at the Paris La Défense Arena in Nanterre, on December 4 and 5, as part of his "Got Back" tour.
The concert, broadcast on France 2, will end with a visual show by DJ Michael Canitrot, a specialist in light mapping on historic monuments. As part of his Monumental Tour, the artist will perform a 10-minute sound and light show, putting glitter in our eyes.
This inaugural evening, organized by the Diocese of Paris in collaboration with the Élysée and France Télévisions, embodies a celebration of Paris's resilience and history. After the fire of April 15, 2019, which destroyed the spire and severely damaged the roof, restoration work has enabled the cathedral to be rediscovered in a new light. The original blonde stones and brightly colored frescoes recall the wonder of the Sistine Chapel restoration. The site is now equipped with an innovative misting system to prevent future fires.
Lovers of art and history will be able to rediscover Notre-Dame from December 8, 2024, thanks to a free reservation system to manage visitor flows. The forecourt, redesigned as a green space conducive to meditation, will be accessible to all. This event is much more than a concert: it's a tribute to an emblematic monument of the City of Light, witness to centuries of history and renewal.
The ceremony, scheduled for the day before the first public mass, symbolically coincides with the feast of the Immaculate Conception, adding to the emotion of the event. In addition, the eight bells in the north belfry have been ringing since the end of October, another milestone in Notre-Dame's renewal. Jost even compares the restoration work to that of the Sistine Chapel, where the colors and details of the restored decorations reveal all their original splendor.
Notre-Dame de Paris returns to its rightful place in the heart of Paris, ready to welcome not only the faithful, but also lovers of art and history, attracted by this essential and emblematic monument of the City of Light. A precious rebirth that bears witness to the history and resilience of Paris.
In any case, we can't wait to see the inside of the monument again, and to witness the long-awaited inauguration live, either on the screens or directly on the forecourt.
Dates and Opening Time
On December 7, 2024
Location
Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
75004 Paris 4
Access
Metro - RER: - Cité (4) - Saint Michel - Notre-Dame (B,C) - Hôtel de Ville (1,11) - Maubert-Mutualité / Cluny - La Sorbonne (10) - Châtelet - Les Halles (7,14,A,D)
Recommended age
For all
