President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will travel to Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral this weekend, marking his first foreign trip since winning the election. The iconic Gothic cathedral, which was severely damaged by fire over five years ago, will reopen to the public later this week, welcoming both tourists and the faithful.
The extensive restoration efforts have successfully revived the 12th-century cathedral, with its spire, rib vaulting, flying buttresses, stained-glass windows, and intricate stone gargoyles now shining in their former splendor. The white stone and gold accents glisten as never before.
Trump, who won the Nov. 5 election and will assume office on Jan. 20, expressed his admiration for French President Emmanuel Macron’s role in overseeing the restoration. In a post on his social-media platform, Truth Social, Trump praised Macron’s efforts, stating, “President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre-Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!”
The French government extended an invitation to Trump to attend the reopening ceremony, and his team has been in discussions with Macron’s office about the trip. It is unclear whether Trump will meet with other foreign leaders during his visit. This trip occurs amid political turmoil in France, as the government faces the imminent threat of collapse due to no-confidence motions filed against Prime Minister Michel Barnier by far-right and left-wing parties.
Trump’s planned visit comes after several domestic trips, including a visit to Texas with Elon Musk and a sporting event in New York.
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