Is Notre Dame Open for Tourism?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, chances are that you have Notre Dame Cathedral on your list of must-see attractions. However, the devastating fire that broke out at the iconic cathedral in April 2019 left it severely damaged and closed to the public.

So, is Notre Dame open for tourism now? Let’s find out.

What Happened to Notre Dame?

On April 15, 2019, a fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral, causing extensive damage to its roof and spire. The incident shocked people around the world as they watched the historic landmark burn on live television. Fortunately, firefighters were able to save the cathedral’s main structure and many of its priceless artifacts.

The Restoration Process

After the fire, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to rebuild Notre Dame within five years. Since then, extensive restoration efforts have been underway. The first phase of the restoration involved securing and stabilizing the building’s structure before any reconstruction work could begin.

In July 2020, workers finally began dismantling the melted scaffolding that had been left behind after the fire. This was a critical step in the restoration process since the scaffolding threatened to collapse onto the cathedral’s vaults.

Is Notre Dame Open for Tourism?

Currently, Notre Dame remains closed to tourists as restoration work continues. However, visitors can still view the exterior of the cathedral from a distance and take photos from nearby locations such as Pont de la Tournelle or Square Jean XXIII.

It’s uncertain when exactly Notre Dame will reopen for tourism. The French government initially planned to reopen parts of it by 2024 in time for the Paris Olympics but with COVID-19 pandemic delaying things all over it is hard to say how long it will take until we can visit this magnificent structure again.

Final Thoughts

While Notre Dame Cathedral is not yet open to the public, it’s still worth visiting the area to see the progress being made in its restoration. The French government hopes to restore this iconic landmark to its former glory as soon as possible, and millions of people around the world are eagerly awaiting its reopening.