6 ideas to celebrate Notre-Dame de Paris

© Guillaume Bontemps - Ville de Paris

Quasimodo and Esmeralda would be thrilled to join us this weekend. Five years after the devastating fire that threatened one of the jewels of France's monumental heritage, the magnificent Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral officially reopens its doors on December 7. On the agenda: the reopening ceremony broadcast on France 2, a dream night at La Tour d’Argent with a breathtaking view of the cathedral, exhibitions on the medieval statues of the building or the workers of the restoration project, and a virtual reality experience. Unmissable events!

The reopening ceremony of the cathedral takes place this weekend, featuring the awakening of the grand organ, the office chant, and the final blessing accompanied by the singing of the Te Deum. These events will, of course, be covered during 48 hours of programming on France 2. On Saturday at 3:50 p.m., a special program hosted by Julian Bugier live from the Notre-Dame square will include the king Stéphane Bern to follow the arrival of heads of state attending this historic ceremony. Starting at 6:30 p.m., Notre-Dame la cérémonie will include a speech by the President of the Republic. Finally, the reopening events will be hosted at 9:05 p.m. by Stéphane Bern. Don’t miss the Sunday, December 8, 8 p.m. news presented by Laurent Delahousse from the Notre-Dame square. Historic!

Dreaming of a stay combining luxury, heritage, and gastronomy? Do It In Paris presents the ultimate experience to live once in a lifetime. Located on the 5th floor of the legendary Tour d’Argent, the Appartement Augusta offers an unparalleled view of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Île Saint-Louis, and the Seine. With a refined decor worthy of a five-star hotel, the apartment even features a Norwegian sauna for absolute relaxation.

As part of its exclusive One night in front of Notre-Dame offer, the Appartement Augusta provides a unique experience. The program includes an overnight stay with a gourmet breakfast at the Bar des Maillets d’Argent, featuring an array of artisanal pastries from the Tour d’Argent bakery and a selection of organic juices and hot beverages prepared by the barista.

One night in front of Notre-Dame, Tour d’Argent, 15 quai de la Tournelle, Paris 5e, €1,800.

©   Benoît Linero 

The Musée de Cluny highlights the medieval sculptures of Notre-Dame de Paris in its exceptional exhibition Giving Stones a Voice: Medieval Sculptures of Notre-Dame. The exhibit unveils never-before-seen works, masterpieces of the Gothic artistic movement.

Giving Stones a Voice: Medieval Sculptures of Notre-Dame, Musée de Cluny, 28 rue du Sommerard, Paris 5e. Until March 16, 2025. Entry from €12.

© Alexis Paoli  

Since 2019, hundreds of artisans and experts have been restoring the cathedral, celebrated through a portrait exhibition on the scaffolding surrounding the cathedral. These Faces of the Restoration Site reflect the scale of the collective effort that saved a treasure of French history.

Faces of the Restoration Site, Notre-Dame Square, Paris. Until January 5, 2025. Free exhibition.

©️ Studio Harcourt Paris

The venerable Maison Foucher, delighting sweet tooths for over 200 years, collaborates with artist Aloïs Marignane (known for his large gouache paintings of various Parisian neighborhoods) to illustrate a new box filled with chocolates and ganaches. This collector’s box features a glorified cathedral at the heart of a colorful Paris with a Christmas market, sleds, a giant tree, and boats on the Seine… but above all, it contains 12 ganaches and pralines (€19) or 42 of these chocolate jewels (€59). Perfect for a festive treat!

Maison Foucher, 134 rue du Bac, Paris 7e; 30 avenue de l'Opéra, Paris 2e.

© Maison Foucher

Embark on a journey through time: Eternal Notre-Dame is an immersive virtual reality experience, a true flashback through the centuries offering a complete digital reconstruction of Notre-Dame, including normally inaccessible and top-secret areas! A unique and vibrant sensation to experience at the Cité de l’Histoire in La Défense or directly from the cathedral square.

Eternal Notre-Dame, Notre-Dame Square, Notre-Dame - Place Jean-Paul II, Paris 4e, until July 27, 2025. From €20.99. Experience also available at the Cité de l’Histoire, 1 parvis de la Défense, 92800 Puteaux, until May 31, 2025.

© Eternelle Notre Dame 

Finally, starting Monday, December 16, the cathedral resumes its daily schedule, opening from 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. After all, Paris has been waking up to the sound of Notre-Dame’s bells for nearly a millennium.

Also, check out the new exhibition on love at the Balzac Museum or book shows at the end of this year to light up your holidays!