A reopening ceremony is held at Notre Dame Cathedral following the fire in 2019

Macron may have managed to meet his five-year deadline to reopen Notre Dame by 2024, but he cannot control the weather.

Forecasts of strong winds in Paris this evening forced last-minute changes to plans for some of tonight’s planned celebrations. The celebrations originally scheduled to take place outside Notre-Dame, including Macron’s address, were moved to the cathedral.

Five years after the fire that devastated Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral, destroying most of its roof and iconic spire, the iconic Gothic landmark will reopen its doors today in an evening of celebration and ceremony.

Hundreds of people, including dignitaries such as President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden, are expected to attend a special reopening service tonight that marks the “reawakening” of the century-old cathedral.

The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, will lead the service and knock three times on the door of Notre-Dame. Each time a choir “answers” ​​with song as the city awakens again before the doors are finally opened.

Following the service, President Emmanuel Macron will address royalty, heads of state and dignitaries from around the world.