Notre Dame Cathedral to reopen in Paris five years after devastating fire, with Trump in attendance.

The 12th-century structure sustained extensive damage worth millions of dollars due to the April 2019 fire.

Notre Dame Cathedral to reopen in Paris five years after devastating fire, with Trump in attendance.
Notre Dame Cathedral to reopen in Paris five years after devastating fire, with Trump in attendance.

This weekend, President-elect Trump will visit Paris to attend the Notre Dame Cathedral's re-opening, five years after a fire severely damaged the historic 12th-century structure.

Trump announced the Dec. 7 visit on social media.

"I am thrilled to share that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to witness the re-opening of the magnificent and historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago," he wrote on Truth Social. "President Emmanuel Macron has done an exceptional job in restoring Notre Dame to its former glory and beyond."

Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron
Trump said he will attend the reopening celebration of the Notre Dame Cathedral this weekend, five years after a fire heavily damaged the structure.  (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"All will have a very special day," he declared.

Sources confirmed to Planet Chronicle that aides to Trump were in talks with French President Macron's office about the invite-only ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday, which are expected to attract about 50 heads of state and governments.

Over $900 million was collected to reconstruct the renowned location following a devastating fire that ravaged the site in April 2019. Approximately $148 million of that amount remains unspent.

The cathedral's roof and part of its exterior collapsed due to the blaze, which also destroyed the interior.

Notre Dame fire
Notre Dame suffered a devastating fire in April 2019. (Pierre Suu/Getty Images)

During the fire, Trump urged France to employ "flying water tankers" to extinguish the flames.

""The fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is so terrible to watch. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. We must act quickly," he wrote."

According to the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris' site, more than 12 million people visited the cathedral annually before the fire.

The French President, Emmanuel Macron, visited the site prior to its public reopening on December 8th, and described the experience as "overwhelming."

Notre Dame Cathedral restoration
The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen on Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris, France.  (AP/Stephane de Sakutin)

According to the cathedral's website, it is estimated that 15 million annual visitors will reserve time-allocated slots upon reopening.

by Louis Casiano,Paul Steinhauser

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