The Notre-Dame de Paris has reopened to the public after five years of painstaking restoration following a devastating fire in 2019.

The reopening weekend was marked by significant events. On Sunday, the first mass was held at 10:30 am, attended by 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests, followed by a second service open to the public at 6:30 pm.

Saturday evening's grand reopening ceremony brought together world leaders, dignitaries and citizens to celebrate the revival of the 12th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Archbishop Laurent Ulrich knocked on the doors of the cathedral to mark its official reopening. In his remarks, President Emmanuel Macron expressed the gratitude of the French people to "all who saved and rebuilt Notre-Dame".

While dignitaries gathered inside, spectators watched the ceremony on large screens along the River Seine. However, the turnout was lower than expected, with about 4,000 attendees instead of the anticipated 40,000. Rainy weather and high winds were cited as reasons for the reduced crowd.

Wanda Taylor, visiting from Canada with her husband, shared her excitement in an interview with Le Monde, "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness history."

Nathalie Iliushina, from Florida in the United States, reflected on her deep emotional connection, telling Le Monde: "Notre-Dame feels like a part of me. Seeing her restored is like welcoming back an old friend."

The reopening ceremony also featured a performance by violinist Renaud Capucon and his cellist brother, Gautier Capucon, adding a moving musical tribute to the event.

Pope Francis, unable to attend, sent a message read aloud during the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of Notre-Dame as a place of welcome and unity. He also advocated for free access to the cathedral, sparking debate about its role as a public space.

Archbishop Ulrich highlighted the collective efforts behind the restoration and referred to Notre-Dame as a "model of faith" that unites people.

The reconstruction of Notre-Dame, which cost about 700 million euros ($740 million), has been hailed as one of the most ambitious architectural projects of the century. After the April 2019 fire, the spire's collapse left a gaping hole in the cathedral and part of the vaulted ceiling was destroyed.

Initial efforts focused on securing the structure to prevent further damage. More than two years were spent stabilizing the building, decontaminating lead-covered walls and removing stained glass windows for preservation, according to French authorities.

Symbolic moment

The restoration involved the efforts of 2,000 craftsmen from France who meticulously rebuilt the cathedral. The grand organ with 8,000 pipes was dismantled, cleaned and carefully reassembled. The reopening featured the organ's first public performance since the fire, a symbolic moment that signaled the cathedral's renewal.

Despite challenges such as bad weather and high winds, the five-year timeline set by Macron was achieved. In a speech during the reopening, Macron praised the workers, saying, "We have rediscovered what great nations can achieve: the impossible."  

Notre-Dame's reopening was celebrated as more than the restoration of a building. It stood as a testament to human resilience and international cooperation. Security was tight, with 6,000 personnel deployed to ensure safety amid a heightened terror alert. Despite these challenges, the event proceeded without incident, culminating in a public mass.

For many, the reopening of Notre-Dame is a powerful symbol of hope and perseverance. As Macron said during his speech, "The world has rediscovered the enduring spirit of humanity."

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.