Notre Dame reopening spectacle caps a stellar year for luxury house LVMH

PARIS — The reopening of Notre Dame was a solemn celebration of cultural and spiritual renewal. Bernard Arnault, the lowkey billionaire behind luxury powerhouse LVMH and a key Notre Dame donor who regularly tops the list of the world’s richest men, was at the center of the celebration. French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and his wife Brigitte Macron arrive to attend the inaugural Mass, with the consecration of the altar, at the Notre Dame Cathedral, five-and-a-half years after a fire ravaged the Gothic masterpiece, as part of ceremonies to mark the Cathedral's reopening after its restoration, in Paris, France, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron welcomed heads of state, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William and Elon Musk, to a ceremony steeped in tradition — and high fashion. It is beautiful that these companies contributed, but the branding should have remained outside,” she said “Notre Dame deserves respect as a house of God, not a showcase for luxury.” While the grandeur of the reopening sparked debate, Arnault’s donation and LVMH’s contributions to the cathedral restoration—including 36 300-year-old oak trees for the spire—have been widely praised.