Historic Notre Dame Cathedral to reopen by year's end after 2019 fire

This iconic Parisian landmark, which has undergone extensive restoration since the devastating fire in 2019, is preparing to welcome visitors again by year-end, as reported by France Info. The 800-year-old cathedral, a key part of the country's historical heritage, is reaching the final stages of its restoration.

Philippe Jost, the head of the public organization Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris, announced that less than 11 months remain to complete the cathedral's reconstruction.

The Notre Dame Fire

Notre Dame Cathedral, a symbol of Christianity in France, whose foundations were laid in 1163 by the pope at that time and took 300 years to complete, suffered a significant fire on April 15, 2019. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

The blaze quickly engulfed the 857-year-old cathedral, leading to the collapse of one of its 96-meter-high towers and the roof, causing extensive damage to the structure.

The restoration of the cathedral sparked a global fundraising effort, amassing approximately 844 million euros in donations from around the world.