Whether it's raining, windy, or snowing, from morning till night, the line at the foot of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is never-ending. In the same square, another area is always bustling with people: the wooden bleachers located just a step away from the entrance of this famous landmark. An ideal viewpoint, a place to rest your back and tired feet after a day of exploring the capital... Among the more than 11 million visitors who have come to (re)discover the cathedral since its reopening, these bleachers brought joy for many reasons. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end: since Monday, January 12, 2026, these wooden steps no longer exist.
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Marking the end of the construction after more than five years of work
This decision follows the desire to gradually make the construction site of Notre-Dame disappear, leaving only the brand new cathedral. A newsletter from the City Hall of Paris Centre specifies that from January 12 to February 6, 2026, « the stands and exhibition buildings set up during the renovation of Notre-Dame Cathedral will be dismantled ».
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A Temporary "Church" During Renovations
Since the reopening of the cathedral in December 2024, these wooden stands have served as seating for tourists, but they were set up shortly after the cathedral fire in April 2019. Designed as a temporary church, these stands were the result of the efforts of Bishop Patrick Chauvet, rector of Notre-Dame, in collaboration with the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.
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