On Saturday December 7, 2024, I had the privilege of witnessing a moment in history: the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris. After a five-year wait, the cathedral was reborn in all its splendor. The verdict? An evening of emotion bordering on the sublime, with a perfect balance between the sacred and the spectacular.
Inside, the cathedral is a jewel. The brilliance of the immaculate white, the stained glass windows dominated by a deep blue, the wooden chairs with their modern curves engraved with "ND"... Every detail exudes renaissance. The acoustics, meanwhile, are extraordinary.
The parade of guests adds to the intensity of the moment. Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni lead the way, and when Volodymyr Zelenski enters, there's a standing ovation. In contrast, Donald Trump crosses the stage to timid applause.
It all begins with the bells of Notre-Dame ringing out, as if to awaken the stones laden with memory. Outside, Monsignor Laurent Ulrich addresses the cathedral for the rite of opening the doors. He strikes three strokes of his crook against the solid wood, and the choir intones a crystalline chant that literally transcended me. On the third stroke, the doors open. Silence in the assembly. The magic happens.
This is whereEmmanuel and Brigitte Macron enter alongsideAnne Hidalgo, to close the VIP ballet. Once seated, a retrospective film is shown, retracing the events Notre-Dame has gone through from the fire of 2019 to its rebirth. Hearty applause, discreet tears. The Paris firefighters, the real heroes of this epic, also receive a well-deserved standing ovation as they take their seats.
And then there was the music. The violin and cello of Gautier and Renaud Capuçon resonated in the immensity of the nave. Their sublime performance was followed by President Macron's solemn speech, punctuating the moment with gravity and hope.
Finally, the procession begins. The banners of Parisian saints, designed by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, march in harmony with the almost epic chorus. Each banner, whether it bears the name "Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre" or "Saint Denis de La Chapelle", is an ode to the history of Paris. This is where the archbishop makes his appearance, dressed in a masterly cope and mitre by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac (a flashy fashion nod that doesn't go unnoticed).
But one of the most memorable moments is undoubtedly the blessing and reawakening of the organ. After each of the archbishop's invocations (eight in all), the instrument responds with powerful improvisations, as if to proclaim loud and clear its grand return.
Before leaving the cathedral, one last look at the Virgin of the Pillar, miraculously saved from the fire, and emotion overwhelms me one last time. But it's far from over! Outside, a new spectacle awaits us: a sound and light show that I contemplate from the Cardinal Lustiger bridge. Lyrical songs open the show, followed by Clara Luciani 's velvety voice on "La Romance de Paris". A real caress for the eardrums. And then, surprise: Pharrell Williams arrives with his legendary "Happy", and his contagious good humor to get Paris dancing. Finally, Michael Canitrot closes the evening with an electro set accompanied by light projections that enhance the façade. A real visual and aural slap in the face!
As I left, grateful and full of stars, one thing was certain: this evening was a true celebration, a burst of unity and beauty that will remain engraved in my memory. Notre-Dame has risen from the dead, ready to light up Paris for another thousand years ... at least!
