In 2019, the world watched as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France – which was built in 1163 – burned down. That year, the Notre-Dame de Paris did not hold Christmas Mass for the first time since 1803. While it’s still unclear what actually started the fire – official investigations suggest it was either a cigarette or a faulty electrical system that produced the initial spark – reconstruction efforts have been underway since the moment the structure was deemed safe, led by dedicated architects using a 2015 3D laser-scan of the interior taken by Art Historian Andrew Tallon.
When the project was launched in 2019 amid the beginning of a global pandemic, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to have the project completed and Notre-Dame returned to normal operations as a historic cultural hub within five years – a huge undertaking considering the intricate woodwork and the importance of the site to French history and the very history of architectural art.
Now, the Notre-Dame de Paris is ready to be reopened (including its historic and beloved 8,000-pipe organ, which survived the fire but was in dire needs of cleaning and repairs), and Disneyland Paris is joining in on the momentous occasion to honor the culture and importance of the nearly 900 year old church that has stood at the heart of Paris as a beacon of faith and captivated the hearts and minds of artists and dreamers all around the world.
To mark the occasion, Disneyland Paris will pay tribute to this historic landmark, as well as the French culture and heritage that it represents, with a new show performed before Disney Illuminations in its flagship European park. “Disney ❤ Notre Dame de Paris” is a unique nighttime tribute to a hallmark of French history that has stood at the heart of Paris for centuries, and that now stands as a beacon of hope amid its restoration – proving that even though the world may sometimes burn around us, we ultimately come together to rebuild.
This show will run for only 9 days, from December 5th to the 14th, and will feature elements inspired by the 1996 animated classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This show is planned to be a grand spectacle that will include drones, fireworks, and projections against the facade of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in the middle of the park.
For those fortunate enough to be in Paris during this time period, the show is – like all of Disneyland’s night time spectacles – included with park admission. All you have to do is find a good spot when the show starts!
Notre Dame is planned to reopen on Sunday, December 8th, 2024 – with a planned weekend of ceremonies, Paris is sure to be alight with joy and pride as this historic landmark officially re-opens its doors to the those who travel from across the world to see its ancient halls.
For those interested in checking out the reopening of this beloved church, the ceremony will start on Saturday, December 7th, at 6:00 PM (12:00 PM EST), which will undoubtedly be a beautiful, haunting moment of ornate Catholic tradition underscored by the powerful sounds of hymnals, prayers, and the awakening of the great organ. Inaugural mass will take place around 10:30 Sunday morning in Paris, and a second mass will be held that evening, marking the official re-opening to the public.
