European Heritage Days 2024

Date
From Friday 20 September 2024 at 19h00
To Sunday 22 September 2024 at 14h00
Location
Parvis de la cathédrale

On September 20, 21, and 22, 2024, dive into the future interior design of Notre-Dame!

As part of the “construction village” organized by the Public Establishment “Rebuild Notre-Dame” during the European Heritage Days, the cathedral invites you to discover the interior design project led by the Diocese of Paris in preparation for its reopening for worship and visitors: liturgical furniture, seating, visitor pathways… Come meet the teams on-site and engage with them!

September 20, 21, and 22, 2024
Construction Village
Parvis Notre Dame – Place Jean-Paul II

 

Notre-Dame: Toward Reopening!

Less than six months before the reopening, the diocese detailed the interior renovation project of the cathedral during a press conference held on June 25th.

Progress of the Interior Renovation Project

This project, which brings together creators and companies from the Atelier de Notre-Dame, is progressing as planned. The fabrication of liturgical furniture, chairs, and the reliquary for the Holy Crown of Thorns, designed respectively by Guillaume Bardet, Ionna Vautrin, and Sylvain Dubuisson, is on schedule. Other projects overseen by the diocese (lighting, sound, renovation of the treasury, interior arrangements) are also advancing according to the timeline. Additionally, Guillaume Bardet has been tasked with designing liturgical vessels and objects that will be used upon reopening, including ciboria, a chalice, paten, monstrance, censer, basin, ewer, cruets, and a tray. Alongside the 1,500 chairs planned, benches, kneelers, and prie-dieux, designed by Ionna Vautrin, will also be manufactured. Designer Vincent Dupont-Rougier has been commissioned to create devotional candle holders and distancing devices. The diocese has selected Jean-Charles de Castelbajac to design the liturgical vestments for the reopening.

Key Milestones

Details of the reopening events will be shared in the fall of 2024. The installation of the liturgical furniture is scheduled for November, along with the return of the statue of Our Lady of Paris to the cathedral, which was spared from the fire.

Welcoming the Public

An estimated 15 million annual visitors are expected, presenting a significant challenge in accommodating both pilgrims and tourists. A digital system for booking free access time slots to the cathedral will be implemented upon reopening, although entry will still be possible without a reservation. During the first six months, until Pentecost 2025, access will be restricted to individual visitors and worshippers, with group visits allowed only after this period. New mediation tools will be developed with a focus on accessibility, including a new signage system, a mobile “visit companion” app, publications, guides, and catalogs, as well as nearly 500 volunteers to welcome visitors.

Placement of Liturgical Furniture and Seating in the Nave ©Bardet / Vautrin / Emissive

 

3D Visualizations of Liturgical Objects Designed by Guillaume Bardet ©Bardet / Emissive

 

Placement of Chairs, Kneelers, and Prie-Dieu ©Vautrin / Bardet / Emissive

 

3D Visualization of a Lectern as Part of the New Signage ©C-Album

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Joins the Atelier of Notre-Dame!

The Diocese of Paris is honored to announce the creation of a series of liturgical vestments and ornaments designed by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac for the reopening of the Cathedral! A total of 700 liturgical garments have been envisioned: copes, mitres, stoles, chasubles, and dalmatics will be produced by French artisan houses.

“I am pleased to see him today join the Atelier of Notre-Dame, which brings together the artisans and artists whose talent will serve the joy of the cathedral’s reopening,” declared Archbishop Ulrich of Paris.

“After the World Youth Day of 1997, it is an honor and a great emotion to once again put my experience and art at the service of the Church and to contribute to the radiance of Notre-Dame de Paris for the reopening ceremonies. The light and its radiance guided my creative gesture; I thought of Couturier’s glorious cross, the brilliance of color on the reborn blonde stone of Notre-Dame.” explained Jean-Charles de Castelbajac.

Blessing and Installation of the Chevet Cross

A look back at the blessing and installation of the Chevet Cross at Notre-Dame.

On Friday, May 24, 2024, the Chevet Cross of the cathedral, designed in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc and damaged during the 2019 fire, was blessed by Mgr Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, rector-archpriest. It was then lifted to its place at the tip of the apse.

The blessing ceremony took place in the presence of Mr. Philippe Jost, president of the Public Establishment for Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris, and Mr. Philippe Villeneuve, chief architect of historic monuments.

Lord God, as Your Son was about to leave this world to return to You, He reconciled all humanity with You while suspended on the wood of the cross.
Now, look upon Your servants who have raised this sign of salvation and upon all who will lift their eyes to this cross.
Grant them the strength to carry their cross each day and to walk the paths of the Gospel.

Blessing Prayer

 

Meditation of the Rosary

In the heart of the day, in the heart of Paris, let us entrust our world to Mary.

Every day in May, from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM on the parvis of Notre-Dame, at the foot of the statue of the Virgin Mary, the rector and the chaplains of the cathedral invite you to meditate on the rosary.

Let us invoke Our Lady and Our Mother: she continually accompanies us with her benevolent intercession before the Lord.

 

1500 New Chairs for the Cathedral Produced in the Landes

 

The new chairs, designed by Ionna Vautrin for the faithful and future visitors of the cathedral, are entering their final phase of production: over 1500 units will be manufactured by the Bosc company in the Landes region.

 

Notre-Dame’s Liturgical Furniture Emerges from Barthélémy Foundry in the Drôme

 

Discover the new liturgical furniture of the cathedral, designed by artist Guillaume Bardet, as it takes shape in the workshops of Barthélémy Art foundry, located in the Drôme region.

 

Notre-Dame of Paris Choir School: 2024-2025 Recruitment Campaign

The recruitment campaign for the Notre-Dame de Paris Choir School for the 2024-2025 school year is now open!

As a training center for young singers, the Notre-Dame de Paris Choir School provides comprehensive education in solo and choral singing, from beginner to professional training.

The deadlines and registration forms for the four choir groups are available on the Choir School’s website.

Don’t hesitate to sign up now!

 

Recrutement 2024-2025

Blessing and Installation of the Rooster on the Spire

On Saturday, December 16, 2023, Mgr Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Paris, blessed the rooster of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. The archbishop placed within it the relics of Saint Denys, Saint Geneviève, a fragment of Christ’s crown of thorns, the names of those who contributed to the reconstruction, and an official record of the ceremony. The rooster was then lifted into the Paris sky and placed atop the spire.

The blessing took place in the presence of Mgr Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, Rector-Archpriest of the Cathedral, Mr. Philippe Jost, President of the Public Institution for Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris, and Mr. Philippe Villeneuve, Chief Architect of Historic Monuments.

Visit of Mgr Laurent Ulrich to Guillaume Bardet’s Workshop

 

On Thursday, October 5th, Guillaume Bardet opened the doors of his workshop to present the reproductions of the future furniture for Notre-Dame de Paris to Mgr Laurent Ulrich and Mgr Olivier Ribadeau Dumas.