The unique event was part of the Chinese Tour in France's Most Beautiful Villages, an initiative designed to promote cultural exchanges between France and China. As tourists and locals gathered around the cathedral, the scene unfolded with a mesmerizing display of artistry

The mass, attended by a congregation of dignitaries, clergy, and thousands of faithful, celebrated not just the return of this beloved monument to the city’s skyline, but also its spiritual revival after a nearly catastrophic loss

On Friday, November 29, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the cathedral's construction site for a final inspection, marking a significant milestone in the restoration process following the catastrophic fire of 2019

The surplus funds, amassed from generous contributions by billionaire patrons and countless smaller donors, were initially pledged in the aftermath of the April 15, 2019 fire, which ravaged the cathedral’s iconic spire and roof and required substantial rebuilding and restoration

At 10:30 am, the bells rang one by one, culminating in a powerful, unified chime. The moment was described by Philippe Jost, head of the public restoration body overseeing the cathedral’s revival, as “a beautiful, important and symbolic step”

The proposed fee of 5 euros (approximately $4.16) aims to generate significant funds for the preservation of the nation’s religious heritage, particularly the thousands of churches that are currently in disrepair

The French National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) announced that Du Bellay, who passed away on January 1, 1560, at the age of approximately 35, is now believed to be entombed in the coffin found under the transept crossing of Notre-Dame

The cathedral, which suffered severe damage in the 2019 fire, is set to reopen on December 7, five years after the blaze shook France and the world. “These bells are the voice of the cathedral, the ones that ring every day,” said Philippe Jost, head of the Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris organization