Photos: Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Reopens With Trump in Attendance

France’s iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral officially reopened its doors in Paris on Saturday evening in a global event that brought President-elect Donald Trump together with world leaders, royals, and business tycoons, marking the revival of the 861-year-old landmark five years after a devastating fire.

“Here we are. The world is watching us. Let’s reopen Notre-Dame!” French President Emmanuel Macron declared on X as the ceremony approached its 7 p.m. (1800 GMT) start time.

The reopening celebration evolved into an unexpected diplomatic summit when Macron arranged an impromptu three-way meeting with Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Élysée Palace before the cathedral ceremony.

“It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now,” Trump remarked upon his arrival at the French presidential residence, where Macron welcomed him with full presidential honors including a grand red-carpet reception typically reserved for sitting heads of state.

Newsweek contacted the Trump-Vance transition team via email on Saturday for comment.

The 90-minute palace meeting, including approximately 35 minutes with Zelensky, highlighted European leaders’ efforts to maintain American support for Ukraine. Trump, who takes office on January 20, has pledged to end the war in Ukraine swiftly, though without specifying how, raising concerns in Kyiv about future negotiations.

The timing is particularly significant for Macron, who faces a deep political crisis at home after his government was ousted by parliament this week. The French president pursued a non-confrontational approach with Trump during his first term, though their relationship grew more fractious over time due to disagreements on climate, taxation, and Iran.

Their complex diplomatic history includes Trump’s attendance at France’s Bastille Day military parade in 2017—an event that inspired Trump to organize his own military parade in Washington for Independence Day 2019. Macron hosted Trump for a White House state dinner in 2018, but tensions emerged the following year over Macron’s comments about NATO’s status.

The cathedral reopening drew an impressive array of attendees, including Britain’s Prince William, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde. French luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault, whose LVMH group contributed millions to the restoration effort, attended alongside actress Salma Hayek and her husband, French businessman Francois-Henri Pinault.

Macron’s office emphasized that Trump was invited as president-elect of a “friendly nation,” stating, “This is in no way exceptional, we’ve done it before.” However, the red-carpet treatment highlighted European leaders’ eagerness to cultivate relationships with the incoming U.S. administration, particularly given the complex global challenges ahead.

President Joe Biden did not attend due to scheduling conflicts, with First Lady Jill Biden representing the United States on his behalf. Prince William is also scheduled to meet separately with both Trump and the First Lady, according to the British royal palace.

French authorities mounted an extensive security operation, deploying more than 20 government security agents to work alongside the U.S. Secret Service. A special French police van provided anti-drone protection for Trump’s convoy, while security was heightened around the U.S. Embassy and other Paris locations for the event.

The visit marked Trump’s fifth trip to France, following four visits during his 2017-2021 presidency, including D-Day anniversary ceremonies in 2019 – the same year Notre-Dame caught fire. During that crisis, Trump suggested using “flying water tankers” to combat the blaze, though French officials explained such an approach could have led to the cathedral’s complete collapse.

The ceremony also drew former French Presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo attended as a representative of the city’s commitment to the restoration project.

Looking ahead, potential challenges loom for U.S.-French relations. Trump’s plans for sweeping tariffs on Europe and disagreements over the Ukraine-Russia conflict could create significant friction in his second administration. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump frequently mocked Macron, imitating his accent and threatening steep tariffs on French wine and champagne if France attempted to tax American companies.

Prior to the Paris visit, Zelensky’s top aide Andriy Yermak met with key members of Trump’s team during a two-day trip, as the president-elect’s staff works to get up to speed on global crises, including Ukraine and the Middle East.

Trump, who was accompanied by incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles and a small contingent of staff, arrived amid heightened diplomatic activity as his team prepares for the transition to power.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.