Notre Dame Cathedral to reopen this weekend after extensive restoration following 2019 fire

Notre Dame Cathedral will reopen this weekend after extensive restoration following the 2019 fire. The ceremonies will include the archbishop knocking on the doors, reawakening the organ, and celebrating the first Mass, attended by over 1,500 guests. The reopening features a new altar and restored interiors, with cleaned limestone and repaired ceilings. The archbishop will use a specially designed staff to open the doors, and the organ, silenced since the fire, will be played by four organists. Funding for the restoration surged after the fire, with 340,000 donors contributing 846 million euros. The reopening will include a mix of guests, from wealthy donors to those supported by charities, reflecting the cathedral's global significance.