Official visitor statistics released by Notre-Dame Cathedral or French tourism authorities

Notre-Dame Reopens Five Years After Fire; Trump, Musk, Prince William Attend Ceremony

Dec 7, 2024, 03:19 PM

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is reopening today, five years after a devastating fire in 2019. The restored cathedral will host a ceremony attended by several world leaders and dignitaries, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the world's richest man Elon Musk, Prince William—who is stepping up his statesman role—King Mohammed VI of Morocco, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The rapid restoration of the medieval cathedral has been a remarkable achievement. Philippe Jost, president of the public establishment responsible for rebuilding Notre-Dame, stated, "We are proud to make this cathedral more beautiful than we have ever seen it." First Lady Jill Biden is also attending the event, as President Joe Biden declined the invitation and sent her in his place. The reopening marks Trump's first international trip since being elected to the White House. Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, arrived at Paris Orly airport ahead of the ceremony.