On Saturday evening, Polish President Andrzej Duda participated in the ceremony marking the reopening of the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The cathedral, a global symbol of Catholicism and one of France’s most significant landmarks, had been closed for five years due to a devastating fire in 2019.
#Paryż 🇫🇷 | Prezydent @AndrzejDuda z Prezydentem elektem @realDonaldTrump podczas ceremonii ponownego otwarcia Katedry Notre–Dame. pic.twitter.com/KcKGhROKSG
— Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) December 7, 2024
The event, attended by numerous world leaders, heads of government, and international organizations, was held at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Among the participants was a joint photo session with the French Presidential couple in front of the beautifully illuminated façade of Notre-Dame.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, has long been a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its stunning proportions, the western façade remains one of the finest examples of early Gothic cathedrals. The cathedral survived multiple attacks in its history, including desecration during the French Revolution, when it was turned into the Temple of Reason.
The event culminated with an invitation from President Macron for the attendees to continue their celebrations at the Élysée Palace. The first mass at Notre-Dame is scheduled for Sunday, marking a new chapter for this historic treasure.