Bad news if you were planning to visit the Conciergerie or the Saint-Chapelle this weekend. Due to the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, these two mythical monuments on the Ile de la Cité will be temporarily closed.
So announces the Préfecture de Police de Paris. " The Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle, located respectively at 2 and 10 boulevard du Palais in Paris-Centre, are closed to the public from Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 3:00 pm to Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 3:00 pm," reads the order published on December 3.
A large-scale security operation will be set up in the vicinity of the cathedral to ensure the smooth running of the ceremonies scheduled for December 7 and 8.
As the Préfecture de Police explains, the President of the Republic, members of the French government and several foreign heads of state and government will be present for the occasion. " Several tens of thousands of spectators " are also expected around the cathedral to witness this historic reopening.
Security and protection perimeters will therefore be set up, and access to and movementaround Notre-Dame will be restrictedon December 7 and 8.
" Access to the Île de la Cité will also be forbidden to all visitors, with the exception of those justifying their need to enter for reasons relating to their private, professional or family life ". Consequently, the opening of the Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie, located within these security perimeters, is " incompatible with the security requirements necessary for the smooth running of the ceremonies for the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral", concludes the Préfecture de Police, adding that the presence of visitor flows to these monuments is " likely to create a security risk for the ceremonies ".
The Préfecture de Police has also decided to close shops this weekend. Traffic restrictions are also expected, as are the closures of several metro and RER stations.
Reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris: metro and RER stations closed
More than five years after the tragic fire that ravaged Notre-Dame de Paris, the cathedral is finally preparing to reopen its doors. On Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8, 2024, some 50 heads of state are expected to attend. As a result, security measures have been deployed around Notre-Dame, with the planned closure of several metro and RER stations. This is what Police Prefect Laurent Nuñez told us in an interview with Le Parisien. We tell you all about it. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From December 7, 2024 to December 8, 2024
