Dmitry Kostyukov for The New York Times
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is reopening this weekend, more than five years after a devastating fire.
The 2019 blaze significantly damaged the Gothic medieval cathedral, including its wood and lead roofing and its famed spire.
The restoration cost hundreds of millions of dollars and involved about 2,000 workers and artisans, including carpenters, stonecutters and gold-leaf decorators.
Now, a centuries-old cornerstone of European culture and faith is reborn.
Heads of state, religious leaders and other dignitaries attended the ceremonies on Saturday that marked the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Later, the renovated cathedral will open its doors to the public, an emotional moment for one of the world’s most recognizable monuments.
People from all over the world have been eagerly awaiting this celebration, which comes as France is mired in political turmoil.
Here’s a selection of photographs and videos leading up to and during the reopening weekend.
Television journalists reporting near Notre-Dame after the end of the reopening ceremony on Saturday.
The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, walks past American First Lady Jill Biden, President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron at the end of the official reopening of the Notre-Dame de Paris on Saturday.
People in homes opposite Notre-Dame watch the reopening ceremony from their windows on Saturday.
Elon Musk, the chief of Tesla and SpaceX, watching the reopening ceremony inside Notre-Dame Cathedral on Saturday.
Laurent Ulrich, the archbishop of Paris, opening the cathedral’s doors after knocking three times with the point of his staff.
People in a restaurant near Notre-Dame watch the reopening ceremony on television.
Clergy walking in Notre-Dame Cathedral during the ceremony to mark its reopening on Saturday.
Guests applaud firefighters, rescuers and builders involved in the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, center, talks to guests as he arrives at the cathedral on Saturday.
The church’s largest bell, ringing to announce the beginning of the ceremony.
People outside the cathedral reacting during the reopening ceremony.
French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte Macron, and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo waiting for guests ahead of the reopening ceremony of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral on Saturday.
Outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his wife Isabelle Altmayer, left, sit inside Notre-Dame Cathedral along with former French President Francois Hollande and his wife Julie Gayet, right, on Saturday.
The scene outside the Notre-Dame Cathedral on Saturday.
The South Rose window and organ ahead of the ceremony on Saturday.
Bishops sitting inside the cathedral on Saturday.
Guests arriving for the reopening ceremony on Saturday.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump arriving at the Elysee Palace in Paris to meet French president Emmanuel Macron ahead of the reopening ceremony on Saturday.
A new baptistery designed by French artist Guillaume Bardet at Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, ahead of its official reopening ceremony on Saturday.
Police officers on the watch in a narrow street near Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral before the reopening ceremony on Saturday.
Volunteers place leaflets on chairs prior to the reopening on Saturday.
Tight security is planned for the area around Notre-Dame, where police officers, journalists and others gathered on Saturday before the reopening.
Excitement has been building, including on Friday night, when the cathedral was lit up.
Visitors flocked to the monument on Friday in anticipation of the reopening.
Preparations were underway in Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame well before the weekend.
