Reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris: the concert event with the artists scheduled for December 7

On December 7, 2024, the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris reopens its doors to the public for a unique evening, combining official ceremony and exceptional concert. After five years of restoration following the fire that marked the monument's history, this evening, broadcast worldwide, brings together renowned artists including Gautier and Renaud Capuçon, Lang Lang and Angélique Kidjo. A not-to-be-missed event, prior to the first public mass scheduled for the following day.

With two weeks to go before this major event, details of the program are gradually being revealed. Inside the building, some 3,000 guests will attend a ceremony at which President Emmanuel Macron will speak, paying tribute to the titanic restoration work. Philippe Jost, director of the works, speaks of "very great international artists", a promise kept with performances planned in both classical and pop registers. Cellist Gautier Capuçon, already linked to Notre-Dame since his Christmas concert in 2020, and his brother Renaud, who led a tour of cathedrals in 2019 to finance the restorations, will be among the performers.

The evening begins with classical works performed in the renovated cathedral. Renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang will play alongside the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, while Khatia Buniatishvili and Daniel Lozakovich will perform Gounod'sAve Maria. Sopranos Nadine Sierra and Pretty Yende, who performed at the Gala des Pièces Jaunes and the Coronation of King Charles III respectively, will also enrich this sacred program.

Outside, on the completely refurbished forecourt, pop and variety performances will punctuate the evening. Among the confirmed guests, Angélique Kidjo, international star with a powerful voice and humanist activist, will share the stage. While discussions are still underway with Paul McCartney and Garou, certain rumors, such as that of Bono, have now been ruled out, informs Le Parisien. The concert, broadcast on France 2, will end with a visual show by DJ Michael Canitrot, a specialist in light mapping on historic monuments.

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.

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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.