Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen to the public on December 8, 2024, following extensive restoration after the devastating fire in 2019.

As part of a €50 million project starting in autumn 2025, Paris City Hall plans to transform the area surrounding Notre-Dame into a green oasis.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo aims to restore a peaceful environment around the cathedral by 2028, three years after the renovations begin.

The renovation project will include planting 160 new trees and installing a thin water layer to cool the plaza during hot weather.

Hidalgo emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, which has undergone public consultation and received approval from the national heritage commission.

The traffic restrictions around the area align with UNESCO's guidelines for the preservation of historical sites, according to Mayor Hidalgo.

A purified rainwater feature will help cool the plaza while preserving views of the cathedral from various angles.

The project will cover a 4.7-hectare area, including renovations to the forecourt, the basement crypt, and two adjacent squares.

This redesigned area will serve as an urban oasis, referred to as a 'clearing,' providing shade and a refreshing environment.

The square will be covered with limestone slabs similar in dimensions to those inside the cathedral, and an underground reception area will be created from the former parking lot.

The new plaza aims to embody the 'spirit of peace and sustainability' associated with the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

The city will submit building permits for the project, with construction set to begin in autumn 2025.