Worshippers return to restored Notre Dame for Easter rituals with emotion and awe
PARIS — Four months after its highly anticipated reopening, Notre Dame Cathedral welcomed worshippers and tourists for a poignant Easter ceremony centered around the Crown of Thorns, one of Christianity’s most sacred relics.
The ceremony, which took place during Holy Week, featured liturgical chants, candlelight, and a solemn procession of clergy carrying the Crown of Thorns through the cathedral’s corridors.
Tourists waited in line along the Seine to enter the restored Gothic landmark, where ushers worked to maintain a respectful distance between visitors and worshipers.
Notre Dame’s rector, Rev. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, noted the higher-than-expected turnout for this week’s events.
Marylène Portet, a longtime attendee of Easter Mass at Notre Dame, expressed her discomfort with tourists taking photos in sacred areas.
Tiphaine Mauquiez, who traveled with her daughters for the occasion, described the experience as “unbelievable.”
Following the cathedral’s reopening in December, record numbers of visitors have flocked to witness its restoration.
For many worshipers, the day was about more than just religious observance; it was a moment of reconnection with a beloved landmark.
Marianna Janik, visiting from Poland, reflected on the cathedral’s resilience after the devastating fire in 2019.
After a five-year renovation, Notre Dame reopened in December 2024, drawing leaders from around the world to commemorate its restoration.
