She hadn’t welcomed anyone since April 15, 2019, the date when the spire of Notre-Dame collapsed following a devastating fire. A tragedy for the 14 million annual visitors, deprived of one of the capital's star attractions. A very sad era is definitely over since the cathedral's pathways are once again accessible as of this weekend.
And to celebrate this grand reopening , artists from all backgrounds gathered to offer spectators a spectacular show. After a magnificent ceremony, the evening presented by Stéphane Bern (of course) started around 9 PM, showcasing a string of performances, each more sensational than the last.
A pre-recorded concert on the forecourt
Once again, the weather didn’t...The weather didn’t cooperate for this grand evening. Just like during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games, a storm hit the capital on Saturday, December 7th in the evening, forcing the event organizers to pre-record the outdoor parts of the show, explains Le Parisien. This was the case, especially for the performances by Pharrell Williams and Hiba Tawaji, as well as for the event's closing video mapping with DJ Michaël Canitrot. It was a lovely surprise for all the tourists in the area on Friday night, who got to witness (from afar) this historic show in preview.
✨ Un spectacle époustouflant de @Pharrell et ses 70 choristes gospel pour célébrer la réouverture de #NotreDameDeParis ! pic.twitter.com/TFvq8tRplt
— France tv (@FranceTV) December 7, 2024
A Star-Studded Parade Under the Arches of Notre-Dame
Along with its star-studded audience, the cathedral hosted a parade of artists to celebrate this historic reopening. Garou was in attendance, taking a moment to reclaim his iconic role as Quasimodo from the 1998 musical Notre-Dame de Paris, singing with as much power as ever in “The Time of Cathedrals.” Following him, the singer Vianney picked up his guitar and performed the legendary “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, reimagined in French for the occasion. The talented Clara Luciani also took the stage to share a song by Charles Trenet, “The Romance of Paris.” Still within the cathedral, Marion Cotillard read a poem by Victor Hugo, The Bridge, from his iconic novel Notre-Dame de Paris. Her reading was beautifully accompanied by the gentle notes of the cello.Franco-American list Yo-Yo Ma.
Un véritable moment suspendu avec l’actrice Marion Cotillard et le violoncelliste Yo-Yo Ma sur le poème « Le Pont » de Victor Hugo #NotreDameDeParis@PhilharRF @radiofrance pic.twitter.com/Ur6bNTa9RG
— France tv (@FranceTV) December 7, 2024
The show also took place on the forecourt (Friday night) with the amazing appearance of Pharrell Williams, who serenaded us with one of his biggest hits, “Happy”, accompanied by a gospel choir of 70 singers. The Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji also stole the show. She played the role of Esmeralda in 2016 in the musical Notre-Dame de Paris and performed a stunning "Ave Maria" that was truly memorable, with the cathedral as a breathtaking backdrop. Just like the Franco-Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo, who beautifully performed "Jerusalema". Finally, to wrap up the event, the Parisian DJ Michael Canitrot lit up the monument's facade with a dazzling 10-minute sound and light show using video mapping. A spectacular finale for the grandest monument in all of Paris.
🎶 Garou interprète « Le Temps des Cathédrales » pour la réouverture de #NotreDameDeParis
— France tv (@FranceTV) December 7, 2024
Pour suivre la soirée 👉https://t.co/CFoVgxgjKn pic.twitter.com/pLBcNKexyN
Une magnifique interprétation de "Ave Maria" de Hiba Tawaji ❤️#NotreDameDeParis @PhilharRF @radiofrance pic.twitter.com/1Zf2WMIWdf
— France tv (@FranceTV) December 7, 2024
🕊️ My message of Peace for the reopening of Notre Dame de Paris singing Jerusalema to remind the world leaders we are all children of God wherever we come from; all our lives are equally important.🕊️
— Angelique Kidjo (@angeliquekidjo) December 7, 2024
📹 @FranceTV pic.twitter.com/e6gjtTbiXK
🎶 Une reprise toute en douceur de Clara Luciani ... #NotreDameDeParis@PhilharRF @radiofrance pic.twitter.com/7FdoHWmdlH
— France tv (@FranceTV) December 7, 2024
🎶 Vianney chante un « Hallelujah » spécialement traduit en français pour la réouverture de #NotreDameDeParis !@PhilharRF @radiofrance pic.twitter.com/ErUq2xrR2V
— France tv (@FranceTV) December 7, 2024