In Pictures: Notre Dame rises from ashes after five years of fire restoration

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Paris landmark ahead of it opening to the public next month.

Published 3 hours ago

Last updated 3 hours ago

The restored interior of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris has been unveiled more than five years since a fire devastated the landmark.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the church to admire the repairs completed after the blaze on April 15 2019, and ahead of its reopening to the public on December 8.

The newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral — The newly restored Notre Dame cathedral was toured by French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday (Christophe Petit Tesson, pool via AP)

The inside of Notre Dame following the fire in 2019 — The altar in 2019 surrounded by burnt timbers fallen from the roof (Christophe Petit Tesson, pool via AP)

New stonework has been carefully pieced together to repair and fill the wounds that had left the cathedral’s insides exposed to the elements.

The restored ceiling — Gaping holes left in the vaulted ceilings and charred piles of debris are now gone. (Sarah Meyssonnier, pool via AP)

France Notre Dame — The western rose window with the organ pipes rising before it (Stephane de Sakutin, pool via AP)

Mr Macron entered via the cathedral’s giant and intricately carved front doors and stared up at the ceilings in wonder. He was accompanied by his wife, Brigitte, the archbishop of Paris and others.

Notre Dame cathedral following the fire — Powerful vacuum cleaners were used to first remove toxic dust released when the fire melted the cathedral’s lead roofs (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The ceiling of Notre Dame Cathedral — The rebuilt soaring ceilings and cream stonework erase sombre memories of the devastating fire in 2019 (Christopher Petit Tesson, pool via AP)

The facade of Notre Dame Cathedral — The cathedral will reopen to the public on December 8 (Stephane de Sakutin, pool via AP)