Notre-Dame: Paris landmark reopens after fire inferno!

By Michael Evers

Paris - Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, which was badly damaged in a fire, has reopened after more than five and a half years of restoration work.

The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, opened the doors of the cathedral, which partially went up in flames in April 2019, at the start of a festive ceremony with around 3,000 guests.

Around 40 heads of state, including German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (68), Britain's heir to the throne Prince William (42), America's First Lady Jill Biden (73), US President-elect Donald Trump (78) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj (46) attended the opening of the 850-year-old Paris landmark.

"Tonight the bells of Notre-Dame are ringing again," said French President Emmanuel Macron (46) in a speech in the church. "And the organ will awaken the next moment. Music of hope, familiar to Parisians, France and the world."

Macron recalled the anxious hours when the cathedral was on fire and there was concern that the church would be completely engulfed by flames. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished.

"We decided to rebuild Notre-Dame de Paris, even more beautifully, within five years," said Macron. This was made possible by a great solidarity. "A brotherhood of those who have donated on all continents, of all religions, of all fortunes, united by hope and gathered within its walls."