Paris's iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral is all set to reopen on December 8 after a rapid reconstruction following the devastating fire of 2019. The 860-year-old Gothic masterpiece has undergone an extensive transformation, blending its historic architecture with contemporary design elements.
Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich revealed the cathedral's new interior plans, expressing a desire to ‘welcome the whole world’ for its reopening. At the forefront of this makeover is the introduction of designer priestly vestments that will be worn by bishops, priests, archbishops and deacons, created by renowned French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, known to his celebrity friends as "JC/DC."

Castelbajac's creations for the priests, archbishops, bishops, and deacons are inspired by the grand gold cross in the cathedral's choir that was spared by the flames. The vestments feature bold geometric patterns and vibrant primary colours reminiscent of the work of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian.
Complementing the new clerical attire is a collection of highly stylised bronze furniture being produced in southern France. These pieces, which evoke a Game of Thrones aesthetic, include a new baptismal font, altar, and tabernacle. Additionally, the cathedral will be outfitted with 1,500 to 2,000 simple yet comfortable light oak chairs for the faithful.

The painted decorations of the chapels have been restored to their former vibrant glory and will be accompanied by seven new tapestries and six new stained glass windows. These windows are the result of a competition featuring 110 contemporary artists, including Daniel Buren, Herve Di Rosa, and Chinese-born Yan Pei-Ming.

According to rector Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, the reimagined Notre-Dame will provide visitors with a ‘strong cultural and spiritual experience.’ With the completion of key restoration projects, including the famous spire, wooden frames, golden crosses, and the cathedral's weather-vane, the stage is set for the cathedral's grand reopening.

To accommodate the anticipated influx of visitors, which the diocese estimates will reach 15 million per year – up from 12 million before the fire – the cathedral will implement a new reservation system. For the first six months, individual visitors will be prioritised over groups.

Notre-Dame will be able to host 2,500 people at a time and 40,000 per day, double the capacity of the Palace of Versailles and 10,000 more than the Louvre museum. With its modern makeover and state-of-the-art fire protection systems, the historic cathedral is poised to welcome the world and provide a truly immersive spiritual and cultural experience.