Notre dame cathedral
Two years on, Notre-Dame awaits long path to pre-fire glory
It was President Emmanuel Macron who set the five-year restoration target in the immediate aftermath of the fire, which would mean the cathedral could be...
The fire erupted on Saturday morning inside the gothic cathedral in the western city, destroying the organ, but firefighters brought the blaze under control within hours.
The blaze comes just over a year after a major fire at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, which destroyed its roof and main spire.
Stabilisation of the landmark cathedral is still the priority -- with rebuilding only likely to start in 2021.
France's culture ministry insisted that the urgent need to make the cathedral safe had dictated the pace of the works, following criticism that it had ignored the risks of lead poisoning.
A massive fire consumed Notre-Dame Cathedral on the evening of 15 April, gutting the roof of the Paris landmark and stunning France and the world, though firefighters saved the main bell towers and outer walls from collapse before bringing the blaze under control.
Dressed in a white robe and helmet, Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit led the service, which was attended by just some 30 people - half of them clergy.
There will be just some 30 people - half of them clergy - although the mass will be broadcast live on Catholic TV channel KTO.
Images of the ancient cathedral going up in flames last month sparked shock and dismay across the globe as well as in France, where it is considered one of the nation's most beloved landmarks.
Notre-Dame's now mostly-destroyed roof was made of wood and included some of the original beams erected in the 12th century.
Salma Hayek has paid a gushing tribute to her husband after he pledged €100 million to help rebuild the Notre-Dame Cathedral after it was partially destroyed by fire.
Macron devoted a brief prime-time televised address to Monday’s catastrophic blaze in the heart of the capital, again postponing planned remarks on his response to months of anti-government protests.
The artworks include relics such as the Christ’s crown of thorns and French king Saint-Louis’ 13th century tunic.
A fire at the 12th-century Notre-Dame Cathedral in France on Monday left Parisians devastated. The cathedral is one of France's most visited landmarks.
A fire broke out at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday. This maps locates the centuries-old cathedral in Paris.
Smoke could be seen billowing out from the top of the medieval cathedral, as flames leapt out besides its two bell towers, a Reuters witness said.