As the world-famous Notre-Dame cathedral burned in a devastating 2019 fire, Parisians watched on in tears.
Now, after more than five years of frenetic reconstruction work, the world has been given a first glimpse inside the revived 12th-century landmark.
Today, President Emmanuel Macron is visiting the site to see the restored interiors for himself before the Gothic cathedral reopens for its first worship next month.
The televised visit is set to usher a series of events leading up to the reopening of the cathedral – the reconstruction of which has been hailed as a symbol of national unity and French can-do spirit.
Brigitte Macron (2R) greets Paris’ archbishop Laurent Ulrich, (C) next to Paris’ mayor Anne Hidalgo (L), Ile-de-France’s President Valerie Pecresse and French President Emmanuel Macron (R) during a visit to Notre-Dame cathedral. Pic: Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron (C) and First Lady Brigitte Macron (L) during a visit to Notre-Dame. Pic: Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron during the visit. Pic: Reuters
Construction of Notre-Dame began in 1163 and was largely completed by 1260, with adaptations made in the following centuries.
Rising up from the Ile de la Cite, it has stood as a symbol of the city of Paris and French Christianity ever since. But in April 2019, a fire broke out inside the cathedral’s roof space.
Smoke billows as fire engulfs the spire of Notre-Dame in 2019. File pic: Reuters
File pic: Reuters
By the time it was extinguished, the cathedral’s wooden spire had collapsed, most of the wooden roof had been destroyed, and the cathedral’s upper walls were severely damaged.
Parisians wept as they saw fire rip through the landmark, and the grieving only grew when the extent of the devastation became clear.
A woman cries as she attends the Chrism Mass days after a fire partially destroyed the Notre-Dame cathedral. Pic: Reuters
Parisians in tears at a vigil following the 2019 Notre-Dame fire. Pic: AP
“I have come to be with an old friend in its last moments,” one onlooker told Sky News at the time, as they stood staring across the River Seine in disbelief.
Eight months later and Notre-Dame was unable to hold its annual Christmas Mass – for the first time since 1803.
The cathedral has been shrouded in scaffolding for the last five years.
Scaffolding inside the nave of Notre-Dame. Pic: Reuters
A view inside the Cathedral in 2008, before the fire. Pic: Reuters
Investigators looked into the cause of the fire, but found no evidence of a deliberate act. However, it emerged a costly mistake was made soon after the blaze broke out.
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A guard had been sent to investigate reports of a fire, but was sent to the wrong place and could see no sign of the looming disaster. The error was only discovered 15 minutes later, delaying the response.
While it is unclear why the fire started, French authorities believe an electrical fault or a burning cigarette may have been the cause.
Notre-Dame is due to reopen officially to visitors on December 8, though there is expected to be a huge public demand – and long queues – to see the cathedral’s restored interior.