Dear Friends,
We’ve just returned from an incredible journey across your beautiful country. Over the course of 12 days, we traveled more than 5,592 miles across the United States, meeting over 800 of you.
We were warmly received at the Maison Française of the French Embassy in Washington, DC, where Ludovic Lebeau, Deputy Head of Etablissement Public, shared the latest updates on Notre-Dame’s restoration. Our journey also took us to the World Affairs Council in Dallas, the California Club in Los Angeles, and the Harvard Club in New York, where we were met with the same enthusiasm and support.
For 12 days, we had the privilege of thanking you repeatedly for your steadfast commitment to our beloved Cathedral. We recounted the Cathedral’s storied history, the devastation of the fire of April 15th, 2019, and the tremendous work accomplished by dedicated craftsmen and architects over the last five years. While Viollet-le-Duc took 20 years to restore Notre-Dame in the 19th century, and its original builders required 107 years to complete it, we are on the verge of a remarkable achievement, rebuilding in just five years.
Our visit marked what will likely be our final visit of the year before the Cathedral’s long-awaited reopening in December. The official reopening will take place on December 7, when the President of the Republic will ceremonially hand the keys of the Cathedral to the Archbishop of Paris, and the great organ will be reawakening once more. The following day, priests and bishops from all over the world will concelebrate the first mass.
But as the Cathedral will reopen to the faithful, pilgrims, and visitors on December 9, our work is far from over. The journey that began eight years ago continues, as pinnacles and gargoyles need replacement, flying buttresses require reinforcement, the sacristy awaits restoration, and the large rose windows need cleaning. This final phase will extend to the end of the decade.
So, once again, I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous welcome over the last few days and for your steadfast support over the last eight years. With over 50,000 friends by our side, your contributions have been essential to this monumental task.
I look forward to seeing you again soon, to thank you in person and welcome new American and international friends whose generosity and numbers make them among the Cathedral’s greatest supporters.
With thanks,
Michel Picaud,
President, Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris