The square of Notre-Dame de Paris, closed to the public since the cathedral fire more than a year ago, reopened this Sunday. For Parisians and members of the clergy, this reopening represents a symbol. Many came in the afternoon to contemplate the cathedral, happy to return to the square. 

REPORTAGE

Since Sunday, the square in front of Notre-Dame de Paris is now accessible to the public after more than a year of closure. The Regional Health Agency has indeed given the green light because the rate of pollution has dropped below the alert threshold. Sunday afternoon, delighted Parisians came to tread the cathedral square for Pentecost. 

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The metal safety barriers have disappeared on the brand new forecourt. It sparkles thanks to a kind of plastic resin deposited on the paving stones. Everything has been cleaned: with water, detergent and the polluted soil around has been removed. Part of this forecourt is still inaccessible because it is still under construction. 

Rediscover the "heart of Paris"

Despite these restrictions, Parisians are happy to be able to admire Notre-Dame again so closely, like Catherine. "I decided to live successively full days of liberation from confinement. Yesterday, I was in the Luxembourg garden for the liberation of parks and gardens and today in Notre-Dame. We find the heart of Paris again. is a symbol for me, "she says. 

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This reopening is not only an event for Parisians but also for clergymen. To celebrate this stage of the restoration of Notre-Dame, Monsignor Michel Aupetit, Archbishop of Paris, visited the site Sunday afternoon. "We are particularly delighted to be on this forecourt, in addition to the day of Pentecost. For us, it is an extraordinary sign to be able to find this place that so many people come to see, admire and contemplate," he says. he. 

Notre-Dame closed until 2024

If the square is open, to contemplate the interior of the cathedral, you will still have to be patient because Notre-Dame should not open its doors before 2024. In the meantime, a reproduction of the Virgin could be installed on the square so that the faithful can meditate, as mentioned by the rector of Notre-Dame on Sunday afternoon.