Notre-Dame fire

The construction of the Catholic cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris ("Our Lady of Paris"), part of the "Paris, Banks of the Seine" UNESCO World Heritage Site,{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/600 |title=Paris, Banks of the Seine |publisher=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321014146/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/600 |archive-date=21 March 2018 |url-status=live}} began in the 12th century. Its walls and interior vaulted ceiling are of stone; its roof and flèche (spire) were of wood (much of it 13th-century oak),{{cite news |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2019/04/16/incendie-de-notre-dame-de-paris-ce-qui-a-ete-perdu-et-ce-qui-a-ete-sauve_5450988_4355770.html |title=Incendie de Notre-Dame de Paris: ce qui a été perdu et ce qui a été sauvé |work=Le Monde |agency=Agence France-Presse (AFP) |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416141316/https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2019/04/16/incendie-de-notre-dame-de-paris-ce-qui-a-ete-perdu-et-ce-qui-a-ete-sauve_5450988_4355770.html |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author=Sasuke |title=Notre-Dame de Paris: toute la charpente en feu, la flèche effondrée |url=http://maliactu.info/international/notre-dame-de-paris-toute-la-charpente-en-feu-la-fleche-effondree |work=Maliactu |date=15 April 2019 |language=fr |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416180320/http://maliactu.info/international/notre-dame-de-paris-toute-la-charpente-en-feu-la-fleche-effondree |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}} sheathed in lead{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/nortre-dame-fire-oak-wood-trnd/index.html |title=The entire wooden interior of Notre Dame Cathedral has been lost |first=Ryan |last=Pyror |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=15 April 2019 |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415222810/https://www.cnn.com/style/article/nortre-dame-fire-oak-wood-trnd/index.html |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live}} to exclude water. The spire was rebuilt several times, most recently, after the fire but also in the 19th century.{{cite book |last=Okey |first=Thomas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MnlEAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA309 |title=The Story of Paris |date=1919 |publisher=J. M. Dent & Company |page=308 |access-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420121400/https://books.google.com/books?id=MnlEAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA309& |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |access-date=16 April 2019 |date=16 April 2019 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/04/16/story-behind-towering-notre-dame-spire-year-old-architect-commissioned-build-it/ |title=The story behind the towering Notre Dame spire and the 30-year-old architect commissioned to rebuild it |first=Meagan |last=Flynn |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416120744/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/04/16/story-behind-towering-notre-dame-spire-year-old-architect-commissioned-build-it/ |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}

The cathedral's stonework had been severely eroded by years of weather and pollution, and the spire had extensively rotted because fissures in its lead sheathing were admitting water.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/decades-of-neglect-threatened-notre-dame-well-before-it-burned-11555624252 |title=Decades of Neglect Threatened Notre Dame, Well Before It Burned |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=18 April 2019 |access-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418234833/https://www.wsj.com/articles/decades-of-neglect-threatened-notre-dame-well-before-it-burned-11555624252 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=live}} The roof timbers were dry, spongy and powdery with age. In 2014, the Ministry of Culture estimated needed renovations at €150{{nbsp}}million, and in 2016 the Archdiocese of Paris launched an appeal to raise €100{{nbsp}}million over the following five to ten years. At the time of the fire, the spire was undergoing restoration{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-notre-dame-68-million-renovation-massive-fire-today/ |title=Notre Dame was undergoing $6.8 million renovation when massive fire broke out |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=15 April 2019 |website=CBS News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415194731/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-notre-dame-68-million-renovation-massive-fire-today/ |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |title=Notre-Dame fire: Blaze breaks out amid renovations at 12th century cathedral |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/notre-dame-fire-blaze-breaks-out-amid-renovations-at-12th-century-cathedral/10042011.article |magazine=New Civil Engineer |access-date=16 April 2019 |date=15 April 2019 |first=Rob |last=Horgan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416044826/https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/notre-dame-fire-blaze-breaks-out-amid-renovations-at-12th-century-cathedral/10042011.article |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Fire breaks out at top of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris |url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/fire-breaks-out-at-top-of-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-38017758.html |access-date=16 April 2019 |work=The Irish Independent |date=15 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416035818/https://www.independent.ie/world-news/fire-breaks-out-at-top-of-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-38017758.html |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}} and scaffolding was being erected over the transept.{{cite news |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-photos-macron-vows-rebuild-670-year-old-church-2785632 |title=Notre Dame Cathedral Fire Photos: Macron Vows To Rebuild 670-Year Old Church |work=International Business Times |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |first=Arthur |last=Villasanta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416060753/https://www.ibtimes.com/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-photos-macron-vows-rebuild-670-year-old-church-2785632 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}

Extensive attention had been given to the risk of fire at the cathedral. The Paris Fire Brigade drilled regularly to prepare for emergencies there, including on-site exercises in 2018; a firefighter was posted to the cathedral each day; and fire wardens checked conditions beneath the roof three times daily.{{cite news |last1=Breeden |first1=Aurelien |last2=Peltier |first2=Elian |last3=Alderman |first3=Liz |last4=Pérez-Peña |first4=Richard |title=Notre-Dame Attic Was Known as 'the Forest'. And It Burned Like One. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/16/world/europe/why-notre-dame-fire-spread.html |url-access=limited |work=The New York Times |date=16 April 2019}}

{{Gallery

| title = Structural elements relevant to the fire

| mode = packed

| align =

| footer =

| style = padding: 0

| state =

| height = 210

| width =

| :File:Notre-Dame de Paris composite transverse section.svg

| alt1=

| Timber in red, stone in blue. Left: tower, with framework and bells; centre (top to bottom, with spire shown behind): lead roof, timber roof trusses, stone ceiling vault, nave; right: exterior walls and flying buttresses. (Annotations)

| File:NOTRE DAME DE PARIS May 2012.jpg

| alt2=

| Interior of nave showing rib vaulting; in walls are clerestory windows (top), arches to triforium (middle), and arches to {{nobr|side aisles}} (bottom).

| File:20130214 - Notre-Dame de Paris - Les nouvelles cloches - 027.jpg

| alt3=

| Underside of rib vaulting, whose thrust outward onto the walls is countered by the inward thrust of the flying buttresses. If the vaulting had collapsed, the walls could have collapsed {{nobr|into the nave}}.

| File:Charpentes Notre Dame 2018 6.jpg

| alt4=

| Timber roof framing; vaulted ceiling lies {{nobr|below walkways}}

| File:圣母院楼顶.涂鸦2 - panoramio.jpg

| alt5=

| Lead roof sheathing of one of the two towers

| File:Notre-Dame (41443367785).jpg

| alt6=

| Roof and spire. The Twelve Apostles and Four Evangelists statues at the spire's base had been removed for conservation four days before the fire.

}}

File:Maison Braun & Cie, Notre Dame de Paris, ca. 1930-crop, change chiaroscuro, perspective, add color by Paolo Villa 2019.jpg]]

Fire broke out in the attic beneath the cathedral's roof at 18:18.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/07/16/world/europe/notre-dame.html |title=Notre Dame came far closer to collapsing than people knew |first1=Elian |last1=Peltier |first2=James |last2=Glanz |first3=Mika |last3=Gröndahl |first4=Weiji |last4=Kai |first5=Adam |last5=Nossitr |first6=Liza |last6=Alderman |date=17 July 2019 |access-date=17 July 2019 |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited}} At 18:20 the fire alarm sounded and guards evacuated the cathedral;{{cite news |last1=Hinnant |first1=Lori |date=17 April 2019 |title=66 minutes: The frantic race to save Notre Dame |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/e9cc2e0e2ce84b7a82abbc23e50bcea1 |url-status=live |access-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416221902/https://apnews.com/e9cc2e0e2ce84b7a82abbc23e50bcea1 |archive-date=16 April 2019}} (archive copy legible if javascript turned off) a guard was sent to investigate, but to the wrong location—the attic of the adjoining sacristy—where he found no fire. About fifteen minutes later the error was discovered, but by the time guards had climbed the three hundred steps to the cathedral attic the fire was well advanced. The alarm system was not designed to automatically notify the fire brigade, which was summoned at 18:51 after the guards had returned.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/world/europe/notre-dame-fire-safety.html |title=Notre-Dame's Safety Planners Underestimated the Risk, With Devastating Results |first1=Katrin |last1=Bennhold |first2=James |last2=Glanz |date=19 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=20 April 2019 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420012938/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/19/world/europe/notre-dame-fire-safety.html |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Firefighters arrived within ten minutes.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-firefighters/paris-firefighters-got-on-notre-dame-site-in-less-than-10-minutes-idUSKCN1RT1N7 |first=Inti |last=Landauro |title=Paris firefighters got on Notre-Dame site in less than 10 minutes |publisher=Reuters |date=17 April 2017 |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418104848/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-firefighters/paris-firefighters-got-on-notre-dame-site-in-less-than-10-minutes-idUSKCN1RT1N7 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

Police evacuated the Île de la Cité, the island in the river Seine where the cathedral is located.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47941794 |title=Notre-Dame: Massive fire ravages Paris cathedral |date=16 April 2019 |website=BBC News |access-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416192824/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47941794 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2019/04/15/actualidad/1555348380_618268.html |title=La catedral de Notre Dame de París sufre un importante incendio |date=15 April 2019 |work=El País |access-date=15 April 2019 |language=es |issn=1134-6582 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415180838/https://elpais.com/internacional/2019/04/15/actualidad/1555348380_618268.html |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live}} White smoke was seen rising from the roof,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/world/europe/notre-dame-fire.html |title=Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Catches Fire |last1=Nossiter |first1=Adam |date=15 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=15 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415174607/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/world/europe/notre-dame-fire.html |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live |last2=Breeden |first2=Aurelien |issn=0362-4331 |url-access=limited}} which turned black before flames appeared from the spire, then turned yellow.{{cite news |last1=Hinnant |first1=Lori |last2=Petrequin |first2=Samuel |date=15 April 2019 |title=Massive fire engulfs beloved Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/73404d09773740f699d4b92933abec50 |url-status=live |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415175914/https://apnews.com/73404d09773740f699d4b92933abec50 |archive-date=15 April 2019}}

File:Flèche en feu - Spire on Fire.jpeg

File:NDonFire 8773 (edited).jpg]]

More than 400 firefighters were engaged; another hundred government workers{{clarify|reason=firefighters or all people? sources contradictory?|date=July 2019}} moved precious objects to safety via a human chain also including police and municipal workers.{{cite web |url=https://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN1RS0AV-OCATP |title=No sign of arson in Notre-Dame blaze as nation grieves for symbol |first1=Richard |last1=Lough |first2=Elizabeth |last2=Pineau |work=Reuters |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416142339/https://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN1RS0AV-OCATP |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=dead |url-access=limited}}

The fire was primarily fought from inside the structure, which was more dangerous for personnel but reduced potential damage to the cathedral; applying water from outside risked deflecting flames and hot gases (at temperatures up to 800{{nbsp}}°C or 1500{{nbsp}}°F) inwards.{{cite web |url=http://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/six-questions-sur-l-incendie-de-notre-dame-de-paris-15-04-2019-8054094.php |title=Six questions sur l'incendie de Notre-Dame de Paris |trans-title=Six questions about the fire of Notre-Dame |website=Le Parisien |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416005330/http://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/six-questions-sur-l-incendie-de-notre-dame-de-paris-15-04-2019-8054094.php |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live |first1=Jean-Michel |last1=Décugis |first2=Vincent |last2=Gautronneau |first3=Jérémie |last3=Pham-Lê}} Deluge guns{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/15/europe/firefighters-notre-dame-intl/ |first=Joshua |last=Berlinger |title=Why the Notre Dame fire was so hard to put out |website=CNN |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=24 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417103658/https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/15/europe/firefighters-notre-dame-intl/ |archive-date=17 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/notre-dame-fire/h_c29f6d43801da4f0b308b45e8665efe1 |title=400 firefighters mobilized for Notre Dame blaze |date=15 April 2019 |website=CNN |access-date=15 April 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/world/notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-is-on-fire-reports-say |title=Fire at Notre Dame Cathedral under control; firefighters have saved cathedral's towers |date=15 April 2019 |website=NewsChannel5 Nashville |access-date=15 April 2019 |agency=CNN}} were used at lower-than-usual pressures to minimise damage to the cathedral and its contents,{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-paris-firefighters-saved-notre-dame-11555540386 |url-access=subscription |title=How Paris Firefighters Helped Preserve Notre Dame Towers |first1=Sam |last1=Schechner |first2=Nick |last2=Kostov |date=17 April 2019 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418193228/https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-paris-firefighters-saved-notre-dame-11555540386 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=live}} with water that was supplied by pump-boat from the Seine.

File:Fire at Notre-Dame de Paris.jpg

Aerial firefighting was not used because water dropped from heights could have caused structural damage, and heated stone can crack if suddenly cooled.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/apr/15/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-paris-france-landmark-live-news |title=Cathedral fire under control after spire and roof destroyed – as it happened |work=The Guardian |date=16 April 2019 |first1=Kate |last1=Lyons |first2=Mattha |last2=Busby |access-date=3 April 2021}}{{cite news |title=How Catastrophic Is the Notre-Dame Cathedral Fire? |url=https://www.citylab.com/design/2019/04/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-paris-gothic-architecture-history/587191/ |work=CityLab |date=15 April 2019 |first1=Kriston |last1=Capps |first2=Feargus |last2=O'Sullivan |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416043321/https://www.citylab.com/design/2019/04/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-paris-gothic-architecture-history/587191/ |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Helicopters were not used because of dangerous updrafts, but drones were used for visual and thermal imaging, and robots were used for visual imaging and directing water streams.{{Cite web |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/241710/20190417/french-firefighting-robot-colossus-helped-save-burning-notre-dame-cathedral.htm |title=French Firefighting Robot Colossus Helped Save Burning Notre Dame Cathedral |last=Navarro |first=Alyssa |date=17 April 2019 |website=Tech Times |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417162330/https://www.techtimes.com/articles/241710/20190417/french-firefighting-robot-colossus-helped-save-burning-notre-dame-cathedral.htm |archive-date=17 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Molten lead falling from the roof posed a special hazard for firefighters.

By 18:52, smoke was visible from outside; flames appeared in the next ten minutes, as firefighters arrived. The spire of the cathedral collapsed at 19:50, creating a draft that slammed all the doors and sent a fireball through the attic. Firefighters then retreated from within the attic and concentrated on fighting the fire from the ground.

Shortly before the spire fell, the fire had spread to the wooden framework inside the north tower, which supported eight very large bells. Had the bells fallen, it was thought that the damage done as they fell could have collapsed the north tower and then the south tower, and with them the entire cathedral. At 20:30, firefighters abandoned attempts to extinguish the roof and concentrated on saving the towers. Despite the risk of being caught in a collapse, a firefighter squad volunteered to attempt to put out the fire in the north tower, fighting from within and between the towers. Fourth Arrondissement Mayor Ariel Weil stated "At that point, it was clear that some firefighters were going to go into the cathedral without knowing if they would come back out." By 21:45 the fire was under control.

Adjacent apartment buildings were evacuated owing to concern about possible collapse, but on 19 April the fire brigade ruled out that risk.{{cite news |last1=Vaux-Montagny |first1=Nicolas |last2=Corbet |first2=Sylvie |date=19 April 2019 |title=Fire-ravaged Notre Dame now stabilized, firefighters leave |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://www.apnews.com/92db19558da04f09b94cc31fb5ce16a5 |url-status=live |access-date=20 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420011833/https://apnews.com/92db19558da04f09b94cc31fb5ce16a5 |archive-date=20 April 2019}} One firefighter and two police officers were injured.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/15/paris-notre-dame-cathedral-on-fire-reuters.html |title=Notre Dame will be rebuilt within the next five years, French President Emmanuel Macron says |last1=El-Bawab |first1=Nadine |last2=Newburger |first2=Emma |last3=Steinberg |first3=Marty |date=16 April 2019 |publisher=CNBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418202153/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/15/paris-notre-dame-cathedral-on-fire-reuters.html |archive-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=23 April 2019}}

{{further|Spire of Notre-Dame de Paris}}

File:Notre Dame before and after 2019 fire.gif

File:Paris and environs with routes from London to Paris handbook for travellers (1913) eingenordet.png and two other cells of vaulting collapsed.]]

File:Notre Dame de Paris roof damage aerial.webm

Most of the wood/metal roof and the spire of the cathedral was destroyed, with about one third of the roof remaining. The remnants of the roof and spire fell atop the stone vault underneath, which forms the ceiling of the cathedral's interior.{{cite web |last1=Lapin |first1=Tamar |title=Photos show center of Notre Dame cathedral miraculously intact |url=https://nypost.com/2019/04/15/photos-show-center-of-notre-dame-cathedral-miraculously-intact/ |website=New York Post |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416032930/https://nypost.com/2019/04/15/photos-show-center-of-notre-dame-cathedral-miraculously-intact/ |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/nortre-dame-fire-oak-wood-trnd/index.html |title=The entire wooden interior of Notre Dame Cathedral has been destroyed |first=Ryan |last=Prior |date=15 April 2019 |website=CNN |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415222810/https://www.cnn.com/style/article/nortre-dame-fire-oak-wood-trnd/index.html |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Some sections of this vaulting collapsed in turn, allowing debris from the burning roof to fall to the marble floor below, but most sections remained intact owing to the use of rib vaulting, greatly reducing damage to the cathedral's interior and objects within.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-goodheart-notre-dame-fire-gothic-20190417-story.html |first=Adam |last=Goodheart |title=Who saved Notre Dame? Its builders |date=17 April 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times |department=Op-Ed |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423213709/https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-goodheart-notre-dame-fire-gothic-20190417-story.html |archive-date=23 April 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

The cathedral contained a large number of artworks, religious relics, and other irreplaceable treasures, including a crown of thorns said to be the one Jesus wore at his crucifixion, a purported piece of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, the Tunic of Saint Louis,{{cite news |title=Notre Dame crown of thorns and St Louis tunic saved from cathedral fire |url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/16/notre-dame-crown-thorns-st-louis-tunic-saved-cathedral-fire-9219579/ |newspaper=Metro |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |first=Richard |last=Hartley-Parkinson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416135729/https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/16/notre-dame-crown-thorns-st-louis-tunic-saved-cathedral-fire-9219579/ |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}} a much-rebuilt pipe organ by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, and the 14th-century Virgin of Paris statue.{{cite web |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/art-destroyed-in-fire-notre-dame-paris-artifacts-13769096.php |title=What's inside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris |last=Martichoux |first=Alix |date=15 April 2019 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=15 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415211841/https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/art-destroyed-in-fire-notre-dame-paris-artifacts-13769096.php |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live}}

Some artwork had been removed in preparation for the renovations, and most of the cathedral's sacred relics were held in the adjoining sacristy, which the fire did not reach; all the cathedral's relics survived.{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=Adamson |url=http://www.startribune.com/drunk-on-smoke-notre-dame-s-bees-survive-cathedral-blaze/508801942/ |title=Drunk on smoke: Notre Dame's bees survive cathedral blaze |work=Star Tribune |agency=Associated Press |date=19 April 2019 |access-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419144702/http://www.startribune.com/drunk-on-smoke-notre-dame-s-bees-survive-cathedral-blaze/508801942/ |archive-date=19 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/pariss-notre-cathedral-is-on-fire/2019/04/15/c487906e-5fa1-11e9-bf24-db4b9fb62aa2_story.html |title=Notre Dame Cathedral spire collapses as Paris monument is consumed by fire |last1=McAuley |first1=James |last2=Whitt |first2=Griff |date=15 April 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415184931/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/pariss-notre-cathedral-is-on-fire/2019/04/15/c487906e-5fa1-11e9-bf24-db4b9fb62aa2_story.html |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=15 April 2019 |url-access=limited}} Some contents were moved by a human chain of emergency workers and civil servants. Many valuables that were not removed also survived, but the state of many others remained unknown as of 16 April 2019.{{Update inline|date=March 2020}}

Lead joints in some of the 19th-century stained-glass windows melted,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/world/europe/crown-of-thorns-notre-dame.html |title=Notre-Dame: Fate of Priceless Cultural Treasures Uncertain |last1=Marshall |first1=Alex |date=15 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=16 April 2019 |last2=Stack |first2=Liam |issn=0362-4331 |last3=Murphy |first3=Heather |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416070310/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/world/europe/crown-of-thorns-notre-dame.html |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}} but the three major rose windows, dating to the 13th century, were undamaged. One weakened window may need to be dismantled for safekeeping.{{update inline|date=June 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Guyonnet |first1=Paul |title=Notre-Dame: Les vitraux des rosaces ont survécu à l'incendie |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/notre-dame-vitraux-rosaces-incendie_fr_5cb58dece4b082aab08b55e0 |access-date=21 June 2021 |work=HuffPost |date=16 April 2019 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416123535/https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/notre-dame-vitraux-rosaces-incendie_fr_5cb58dece4b082aab08b55e0 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newsweek.com/notre-dame-rose-windows-fire-paris-cathedral-1397773 |title=Notre Dame 'miracle'? Rose windows' stained glass appears to have survived savage blaze |first=Katherine |last=Hignett |date=16 April 2019 |website=Newsweek |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416143859/https://www.newsweek.com/notre-dame-rose-windows-fire-paris-cathedral-1397773 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-patrimony-idUSKCN1RS1IF |work=Reuters |title=Notre-Dame's famed rose window spared but blaze harms priceless artworks |first1=Sarah |last1=White |first2=Elizabeth |last2=Pineau |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416221222/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-patrimony-idUSKCN1RS1IF |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Several pews were destroyed, and the vaulted arches were blackened by smoke, though the church's main cross and altar survived, along with the statues surrounding it.{{cite news |url=https://www.thelocal.fr/20190416/like-a-nightmare-hundreds-of-parisians-gather-to-witness-destruction-at-notre-dame |title='The church is burning and the whole world is crying' – Parisians mourn for Notre-Dame |work=The Local |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=20 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417135343/https://www.thelocal.fr/20190416/like-a-nightmare-hundreds-of-parisians-gather-to-witness-destruction-at-notre-dame |archive-date=17 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/notre-dame-counts-cost-daylight-reveals-damage-092808310.html |title=Notre-Dame counts cost as daylight reveals damage |work=Yahoo! News |agency=Agence France-Presse (AFP) |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416190208/https://news.yahoo.com/notre-dame-counts-cost-daylight-reveals-damage-092808310.html |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}

Some paintings, apparently only smoke-damaged, are expected to be transported to the Louvre for restoration. A number of statues, including those of the twelve Apostles at the base of the spire, had been removed in preparation for renovations.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1RR1UO |title=Fire guts Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris; Macron pledges to rebuild |first1=Sybille |last1=de La Hamaide |first2=Julie |last2=Carriat |work=Reuters |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=22 December 2020 |url-access=limited}}{{cite news |last1=Buncombe |first1=Andrew |title=Notre Dame's historic statues safe after being removed just days before massive fire |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-statues-renovation-apostles-evangelists-a8871586.html |access-date=15 April 2019 |work=The Independent |date=15 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415195451/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-statues-renovation-apostles-evangelists-a8871586.html |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live}} The rooster-shaped reliquary atop the spire was found damaged but intact among the debris.{{cite web |url=https://www.rtl.fr/actu/justice-faits-divers/le-coq-de-la-fleche-de-notre-dame-de-paris-retrouve-7797444660 |title=Le coq de la flèche a été retrouvé |website=RTL |agency=Agence France-Presse (AFP) |language=fr |first=Thomas |last=Pierre |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019}} The three pipe organs were not significantly damaged.{{Cite news |url=https://www.europe1.fr/societe/exclusif-lorgue-principal-de-notre-dame-de-paris-miraculeusement-preserve-rien-na-brule-rien-na-fondu-3892910 |title=L'orgue principal de Notre-Dame de Paris miraculeusement préservé |date=16 April 2019 |work=Europe 1 |access-date=16 April 2019 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416094748/https://www.europe1.fr/societe/exclusif-lorgue-principal-de-notre-dame-de-paris-miraculeusement-preserve-rien-na-brule-rien-na-fondu-3892910 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/24/arts/music/notre-dame-organ-fire.html |title=Notre-Dame Musicians Rejoice That Cathedral's Organ Was Spared |last=Marshall |first=Alex |date=24 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=24 April 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |url-access=limited}} The largest of the cathedral's bells, the bourdon, was not damaged. The liturgical treasury of the cathedral and the "grands Mays" paintings were moved to safety.

Airparif, an air quality monitoring organization, said winds rapidly dispersed the smoke, carrying it away aloft along the Seine corridor. It did not find elevated levels of particulate air pollution at monitoring stations nearby.{{cite web |title=Incendie de Notre-Dame de Paris: point sur la situation |url=https://www.paris.fr/notre-dame |website=paris.fr |language=fr |access-date=20 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420192759/https://www.paris.fr/notre-dame |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Incendie de Notre-Dame : le feu a-t-il pollué l'air de Paris ? |url=http://www.leparisien.fr/societe/incendie-de-notre-dame-le-feu-a-t-il-pollue-l-air-de-paris-16-04-2019-8054682.php |website=Le Parisien |language=fr-FR |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=21 June 2021}} The Paris police stated that there was no danger from breathing the air around the fire.{{cite web |last1=Chrisafis |first1=Angelique |title=Notre Dame fire: police say air not toxic despite high lead levels on ground |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/09/paris-police-say-no-danger-of-toxic-inhalation-from-air-near-notre-dame |website=The Guardian |date=9 May 2019}}{{update inline|date=September 2024}}

The burned-down roof had been covered with over 400 metric tons of lead.{{cite magazine |author=Perrigo |first=Billy |date=30 July 2019 |title=Notre Dame Fire: Environmental Group Files Lead Poisoning Lawsuit |url=https://time.com/5638584/notre-dame-lead-poisoning/ |magazine=Time |access-date=13 August 2019}} Settling dust substantially raised surface lead levels in some places nearby,{{cite web |date=4 June 2019 |title=Blood tests recommended over Notre Dame lead risk |url=https://apnews.com/33a616f0a5d844578b425d806f4fb362 |access-date=7 August 2019 |publisher=Associated Press}} notably the cordoned-off area and places left open during the fire.{{cite web |date=27 April 2019 |title=Information aux riverains et aux personnes travaillant aux abords de la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris |url=http://www.prefectures-regions.gouv.fr/ile-de-france/content/download/57788/379997/file/CP%20PP%2027042019%20-%20Information%20aux%20riverains%20de%20Notre-Dame.pdf |website=[prefectures-regions.gouv.fr/ile-de-france Prefecture of Paris website] |publisher=Prefecture of Paris |language=fr}} Wet cleaning for surfaces{{cite web |title=Officials warn of lead pollution risks after Notre-Dame blaze |url=https://news.yahoo.com/officials-warn-lead-pollution-risks-notre-dame-blaze-084522765.html |website=Yahoo! News |language=en-us |date=10 May 2019 |access-date=22 December 2020 |agency=AFP}} and blood tests for children and pregnant women were recommended in the immediate area.{{cite web |agency=AFP |title=Children and pregnant women around Notre Dame warned over lead |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/04/notre-dame-lead-levels-in-blood |website=The Guardian |date=4 June 2019}} People working on the cathedral after the fire did not initially take the required lead precautions; materials leaving the site were decontaminated, but some clothing was not, and some precautions were not correctly followed; as a result, the worksite failed some inspections and was temporarily shut down.{{cite web |last1=Kovacs |first1=Stéphane |title=Notre-Dame de Paris : le chantier suspendu à cause du plomb |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/le-chantier-de-notre-dame-suspendu-pour-plusieurs-jours-par-mesure-de-precaution-20190725 |website=Le Figaro |date=25 July 2019}} There was also more widespread contamination; testing, cleanup, and public health advisories were delayed for months, and the neighbourhood was not decontaminated for four months, prompting widespread criticism.

Average lead levels in Paris streets are normally five times the indoor legal limit ({{convert|1000|μg/m2}}) owing to historic uses of lead,{{cite news |title=The Notre Dame Fire Spread Toxic Lead Dust Over Paris |url=https://www.wired.com/story/the-notre-dame-fire-spread-toxic-lead-dust-over-paris/ |magazine=Wired |date=1 August 2019 |access-date=3 August 2019 |last1=O'Sullivan |first1=Feargus}} principally from runoff from intact roofs.{{cite conference |last1=Robert |first1=Pauline |last2=Gromaire |first2=Marie-Christine |last3=de Gouvello |first3=Bernard |last4=Chebbo |first4=Ghassan |date=May 2006 |title=Impact des Matériaux de Toitures sur la Contamination Métallique des Eaux de Ruissellement Urbaines |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00182628/document |language=fr |conference=17èmes Journées Scientifiques de l'Environnement: le citoyen, la ville et l'environnement |location=Créteil, France}} The Health Ministry rules that children should not be exposed to more than 70 micrograms/m² indoors. There is no legal limit for outdoor lead levels, which are often very heterogeneous; the Agence régionale de santé (ARS) d'Ile-de-France is not certain if some of the elevated levels being measured are connected to the fire.{{cite web |date=4 July 2019 |title=Plomb de Notre-Dame: l'Agence régionale de santé se veut rassurante |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/plomb-de-notre-dame-l-agence-regionale-de-sante-se-veut-rassurante-20190704 |website=Le Figaro |language=fr |agency=AFP}} This lack of clarity and threshold-linked mandatory measures may have delayed action. In mid-July, regional health officials raised their outdoor guideline from 1000 micrograms/m² to 5000. Rain can redistribute the lead dust.{{cite web |last1=Willsher |first1=Kim |title=Notre Dame firefighters should be tested for lead, say campaigners |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/10/notre-dame-firefighters-should-be-tested-for-lead-say-campaigners |website=The Guardian |date=10 May 2019}} Samples of honey collected in July 2019 revealed higher lead concentrations downwind from Notre-Dame and lead isotopes tagged the lead as originating from the fire and not other potential sources of pollutants.{{Cite journal|last1=Smith|first1=Kate E.|last2=Weis|first2=Dominique|last3=Chauvel|first3=Catherine|author-link3=Catherine Chauvel|last4=Moulin|first4=Sibyle|date=13 October 2020|title=Honey Maps the Pb Fallout from the 2019 Fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris: A Geochemical Perspective|url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02990437/file/Smith%20et%20al.%20ESTLetters.pdf|journal=Environmental Science & Technology Letters|language=en|volume=7|issue=10|pages=753–759|doi=10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00485|bibcode=2020EnSTL...7..753S |s2cid=225440035|issn=2328-8930}}{{Cite web|date=29 July 2020|title=Lead released in Notre Dame Cathedral fire detected in Parisian honey|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200729114752.htm|access-date=6 September 2021|website=ScienceDaily|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Les retombées de plomb liées à l'incendie de Notre-Dame cartographiées dans le miel {{!}} INSU|url=https://www.insu.cnrs.fr/fr/cnrsinfo/les-retombees-de-plomb-liees-lincendie-de-notre-dame-cartographiees-dans-le-miel|access-date=6 September 2021|website=www.insu.cnrs.fr|date=7 September 2020 |language=fr}}

File:Hommage sauveteurs ND.jpg in homage to the cathedral and those who helped save it]]

President Macron, postponing a speech to address the yellow vests movement planned for that evening,{{cite news |date=16 April 2019 |title=France's Macron requests post-fire pause from politics |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/e4f5f49d9f2d46348cdda1d86ea8a41e |url-status=live |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423215533/https://apnews.com/e4f5f49d9f2d46348cdda1d86ea8a41e |archive-date=23 April 2019}} went to Notre-Dame and gave a brief address there.{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/macron-postpones-speech-after-notre-dame-fire/ |title=Notre Dame fire 'fully extinguished' as fundraising starts |first1=Rym |last1=Momtaz |first2=Laurenz |last2=Gehrke |date=16 April 2019 |website=Politico |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420085901/https://www.politico.eu/article/macron-postpones-speech-after-notre-dame-fire/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Major religious leaders{{efn|Including Pope Francis,{{cite news|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-04/pope-francis-notre-dame-fire-closeness-prayers.html |title=Notre Dame fire: Pope Francis expresses closeness, assures prayers|last=Watkins|first=Devin|work=Vatican News|date=16 April 2019|access-date=22 August 2022}} Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, and the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.{{cite web |url=https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/04/18/latter-day-saint/ |title=Latter-day Saint President Russell Nelson Writes Pope Francis, Expresses Sympathy for Notre Dame Fire |last=Noyce |first=David |date=18 April 2019 |website=Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=23 June 2021}}|name=|}} and representatives of numerous countries and international organisations{{efn|Including Prime Minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte,{{cite news |url=https://www.corriere.it/cronache/19_aprile_15/incendio-notre-dame-sgomento-mondo-24339856-5fb0-11e9-b974-356c261cf349.shtml |first=Antonella |last=De Gregorio |title=Incendio Notre Dame, lo sgomento del mondo: "Brucia una parte di noi" |date=15 April 2019 |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |access-date=23 April 2019 |language=it}} Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom,{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-queen-idUSKCN1RS0WY |title=Queen Elizabeth says deeply saddened by Notre Dame blaze |date=16 April 2019 |work=Reuters |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416133808/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-queen-idUSKCN1RS0WY |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa May,{{cite tweet |user=10DowningStreet |number=1117873233045229568 |author=UK Prime Minister |title='My thoughts are with the people of France tonight and with the emergency services who are fighting the terrible blaze at Notre-Dame cathedral.' – PM @Theresa_May |date=15 April 2019}}{{cite news |title=London's Westminster Abbey bells to ring tonight in solidarity with French |website=CNN |date=16 April 2019 |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/notre-dame-fire/h_44a77498518fbfad490ed5601033171d |access-date=20 July 2020 }} Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Javad Zarif,{{cite web |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/notre-dame-attriste-l-iran-pense-aux-francais-et-a-tous-les-catholiques-20190416 |title=Notre-Dame: "attristé", l'Iran pense aux "Français et à tous les catholiques" |date=16 April 2009 |work=Le Figaro |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827071039/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/notre-dame-attriste-l-iran-pense-aux-francais-et-a-tous-les-catholiques-20190416 |archive-date=27 August 2019 |url-status=live}} Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel,{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-france-notredame-merkel/germanys-merkel-saddened-to-see-notre-dame-on-fire-idUKKCN1RR23W |title=Germany's Merkel saddened to see Notre-Dame on fire |work=Reuters |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |url-access=limited}} Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez,{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/5b7a4f7ba9d14f138e773a1cf18aede1 |title=Around world, 'our hearts ache' at Notre Dame Cathedral fire |first=Andrew |last=Selsky |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=22 April 2019 |website=AP News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415215916/https://apnews.com/5b7a4f7ba9d14f138e773a1cf18aede1 |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa,{{cite web |url=http://www.presidencia.pt/?idc=18&idi=162694 |title=Presidente da República enviou mensagem ao seu homólogo francês |date=15 April 2019 |website=presidencia.pt |language=pt |access-date=16 April 2019}} President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev,{{cite news |url=http://bnr.bg/en/post/101107314/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-president-and-prime-minister-express-sympathy-with-france |title=Notre Dame cathedral fire: President and prime minister express sympathy with France |website=Radio Bulgaria |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423211348/http://bnr.bg/en/post/101107314/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-president-and-prime-minister-express-sympathy-with-france |archive-date=23 April 2019 |url-status=live}} President of Romania Klaus Iohannis,{{cite web |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/iohannis-notre-dame-fire |last=Insider |first=Ro |date=16 April 2019 |title=Romania's president reacts to Notre Dame fire |work=romania-insider.com |access-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419223344/https://www.romania-insider.com/iohannis-notre-dame-fire |archive-date=19 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán,{{cite web |title=Orbán expresses sympathies over Notre Dame fire |url=http://hungarymatters.hu/2019/04/17/orban-expresses-sympathies-over-notre-dame-fire/ |website=Hungary Matters |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417165059/http://hungarymatters.hu/2019/04/17/orban-expresses-sympathies-over-notre-dame-fire/ |archive-date=17 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras,{{cite web |title=Η δήλωση Τσίπρα για την Παναγία των Παρισίων |url=https://www.efsyn.gr/node/191598/ |website=Η Εφημερίδα των Συντακτών |date=15 April 2019 |language=el |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416054041/https://www.efsyn.gr/node/191598 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau,{{cite news |last1=Hinnant |first1=Lori |title=Roof and spire collapse as fire engulfs Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/04/15/fire-erupts-at-notre-dame-in-paris/ |publisher=Citytv |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416172930/https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/04/15/fire-erupts-at-notre-dame-in-paris/ |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |user=JustinTrudeau |number=1117872005724852224 |date=15 April 2019 |first=Justin |last=Trudeau |title=Absolutely heartbreaking to see the Notre-Dame Cathedral in flames. Canadians are thinking of our friends in France as you fight this devastating fire. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415225212/https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1117872005724852224 |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live}} President of the United States Donald Trump,{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/notre-dame-fire/h_27494efb1996ed06048054ccf19d283e |title=President Trump on the 'terrible, terrible fire' |date=15 April 2019 |publisher=CNN |access-date=15 April 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-cathedral-notre-dame-de-paris/ |date=16 April 2019 |title=Statement by the Press Secretary on the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris |access-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120201901/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-cathedral-notre-dame-de-paris/ |archive-date=20 January 2021 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |url-status=live}} President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping,{{cite news |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/europe/2019-04/16/c_137982309.htm |title=Xi sends condolence to Macron over Notre Dame fire |date=16 April 2019 |work=Xinhua |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416145117/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/europe/2019-04/16/c_137982309.htm |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=dead}} President of Russia Vladimir Putin,{{cite news |url=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/60300 |title=Message to Emmanuel Macron |date=16 April 2019 |publisher=Russian Presidential Executive Office |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416103822/http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/60300 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}} President of Israel Reuven Rivlin,{{cite web |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/president-rivlin-offers-solidarity-with-france-as-notre-dame-burns/ |title=President Rivlin offers solidarity with France as Notre Dame burns |website=The Times of Israel |access-date=15 April 2019}} King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,{{cite web |url=https://www.bna.bh/en/ArchiveDetails.aspx?archiveId=516267 |title=HM King expresses solidarity with France |work=Bahrain News Agency |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2021}} Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison, King Mohammed VI of Morocco,{{cite web |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-04/16/c_137979897.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416012817/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-04/16/c_137979897.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2019 |title=Morocco king vows solidarity with France following Notre Dame Cathedral fire |work=Xinhua |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2021}} President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi,{{cite web |url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/68369/Sisi-expresses-solidarity-with-France-over-Paris-cathedral-fire |title=Sisi expresses solidarity with France over Paris cathedral fire |date=15 April 2019 |work=Egypt Today |access-date=16 April 2019 |agency=MENA}} President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis,{{cite web |url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/bells-ring-out-in-riga-in-support-of-france-and-notre-dame.a316170/ |title=Bells ring out in Rīga in support of France and Notre Dame |date=16 April 2019 |work=Public Broadcasting of Latvia |access-date=3 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418160108/https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/bells-ring-out-in-riga-in-support-of-france-and-notre-dame.a316170/ |archive-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=live}} President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo,{{Cite web |url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-akufo-addo-comiserates-with-france.html |title=Notre Dame Cathedral fire: Akufo-Addo commiserates with France |date=16 April 2019 |website=Graphic Online |url-status=live |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416132407/https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-akufo-addo-comiserates-with-france.html |archive-date=16 April 2019}} President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko,{{Cite web |url=http://president.gov.by/en/news_en/view/condolences-to-france-president-emmanuel-macron-20896/ |title=Condolences to France President Emmanuel Macron |date=16 April 2019 |website=President of the Republic of Belarus |access-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419061427/http://president.gov.by/en/news_en/view/condolences-to-france-president-emmanuel-macron-20896/ |archive-date=19 April 2019 |url-status=live}} President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Tsai Ing-wen,{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/iingwen/status/1117981036783083520|title=Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen)|website=Twitter|date=15 April 2019|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418084152/https://twitter.com/iingwen/status/1117981036783083520|archive-date=18 April 2019|url-status=live}} United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres,{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/notre-dame-fire/h_a431aa2b54dabf7572cc175ef81500db |title=UN chief: 'Horrified by the pictures coming from Paris' |date=15 April 2019 |publisher=CNN |access-date=15 April 2019}} President of the European Council Donald Tusk,{{cite tweet |user=eucopresident |number=1117848950742978560 |title=Notre-Dame de Paris est Notre-Dame de toute l'Europe. We are all with Paris today. |first=Donald |last=Tusk |author-link=Donald Tusk |language=fr |date=15 April 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/we-are-all-with-paris-today-international-sorrow-as-fire-ravages-notre-dame-in-paris/ |date=16 April 2019 |title='We are all with Paris today': International sorrow as fire ravages Notre-Dame |work=EURACTIV |access-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417104748/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/we-are-all-with-paris-today-international-sorrow-as-fire-ravages-notre-dame-in-paris/ |archive-date=17 April 2019 |url-status=live}} and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker.{{cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-world-leaders-a1927978-53ec-4cef-aa86-dd90018050e2.html |title=World leaders react to tragic blaze at iconic Notre Dame cathedral |website=Axios |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415205638/https://www.axios.com/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-world-leaders-a1927978-53ec-4cef-aa86-dd90018050e2.html |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live}}|name=|}} extended condolences.

Through the night of the fire and into the next day, people gathered along the Seine to hold vigils, sing and pray.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-scene/in-the-heart-of-paris-a-wounded-notre-dame-stirs-emotions-idUSKCN1RS15K |title=In the heart of Paris, a wounded Notre-Dame stirs emotions |first1=Matthias |last1=Blamont |first2=Geert |last2=de Clercq |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608102337/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-scene/in-the-heart-of-paris-a-wounded-notre-dame-stirs-emotions-idUSKCN1RS15K |archive-date=8 June 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2019/apr/16/parisians-sing-hymns-as-they-watch-notre-dame-burning-video |title=Parisians sing hymns as they watch Notre Dame burning – video |agency=Reuters/AP |date=16 April 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416110006/https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2019/apr/16/parisians-sing-hymns-as-they-watch-notre-dame-burning-video |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-paris-stunning-video-shows-people-singing-hymn-to-honor-notre-dame-as-it-burned/ |title=Stunning video shows people singing hymn to honor Notre Dame as it burned |first=Danielle |last=Garrand |date=16 April 2019 |publisher=CBS News |access-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416103235/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/notre-dame-cathedral-fire-paris-stunning-video-shows-people-singing-hymn-to-honor-notre-dame-as-it-burned/ |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Some commentators found deeper meaning in the fire, linking it with divine judgment or the decline of Western civilisation.{{Cite news |last=Rowley |first=Matthew |date=17 April 2019 |title=Was the Notre Dame fire God's judgment? How to understand apocalyptic and other interpretations |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/04/17/was-notre-dame-fire-gods-judgment-how-understand-apocalyptic-other-interpretations/ |access-date=23 November 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

The following Sunday at Saint-Eustache Church, the Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, honoured the firefighters with the presentation of a book of scriptures saved from the fire.{{cite news |last=Charlton |first=Angela |date=21 April 2019 |title=Paris Easter Mass honors firefighters who saved Notre Dame |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/edd07fca7fa74601aacb8e2592698ae5 |access-date=25 April 2019}}

On 16 April, the Paris prosecutor said that there was no evidence of a deliberate act, but the cause of the fire has not been proven yet.

The fire has been compared to the similar 1992 Windsor Castle fire and the Uppark fire, among others,{{cite news |last1=Damgé |first1=Mathilde |last2=Dagorn |first2=Gary |last3=Durand |first3=Anne-Aël |title=Nantes, Lunéville, Windsor... les derniers grands incendies de bâtiments historiques |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2019/04/16/nantes-luneville-windsor-les-derniers-grands-incendies-de-batiments-historiques_5451131_4355770.html |access-date=17 April 2019 |work=Le Monde |date=16 April 2019 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417092520/https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2019/04/16/nantes-luneville-windsor-les-derniers-grands-incendies-de-batiments-historiques_5451131_4355770.html |archive-date=17 April 2019 |url-status=live}} and has raised old questions about the safety of similar structures and the techniques used to restore them.

Renovation presents a fire risk from sparks, short circuits, and heat from welding (roof repairs involved cutting and soldering lead sheets resting on timber). Normally, no electrical material is allowed in the roof space because of the extreme fire risk. The roof framing was made of very dry timber, often powdery with age. After the fire, the architect responsible for fire safety at the cathedral acknowledged that the rate at which fire might spread had been underestimated, and experts said that it was well known that a fire in the roof would be almost impossible to control.

File:Notre-Dame en feu, 20h06.jpg]]

Of the firms working on the restoration, a Europe Echafaudage team was the only one working there on the day of the fire. The company claimed that no soldering or welding had occurred in the period just before the fire. The scaffolding was receiving electrical supply for temporary elevators and lighting.{{cite news |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/societe/20190418.OBS11772/notre-dame-les-echafaudeurs-livrent-leur-version-des-faits.html |title=Notre-Dame: les échafaudeurs livrent leur version des faits |work=L'Obs |date=18 April 2019 |language=fr |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418143623/https://www.nouvelobs.com/societe/20190418.OBS11772/notre-dame-les-echafaudeurs-livrent-leur-version-des-faits.html |archive-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Rowland |date=17 April 2019 |url=https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/Alarms-on-spire-scaffolding-did-not-go-off |title=Alarms on spire scaffolding did not go off |work=The Connexion |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419232357/https://www.connexionfrance.com/French-news/Alarms-on-spire-scaffolding-did-not-go-off |archive-date=19 April 2019 |url-status=live}} The roofing company Le Bras Frères claimed that it had followed procedure and that none of its personnel were on site when the fire began. Time-lapse images taken by a camera installed by the roofing company showed smoke first rising from the base of the spire.{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Michael |last2=Carriat |first2=Julie |title=Time-lapse shots of Notre-Dame spire may offer clues on blaze |url=https://reuters.com/article/france-notredame/time-lapse-shots-of-notre-dame-spire-may-offer-clues-on-blaze-idINL5N21Z69N |access-date=18 April 2019 |work=Reuters |date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419080659/https://www.reuters.com/article/france-notredame/time-lapse-shots-of-notre-dame-spire-may-offer-clues-on-blaze-idINL5N21Z69N |archive-date=19 April 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

On 25 April 2019, the structure was considered safe enough for entry of investigators, who unofficially stated that they were considering theories involving malfunction of the electric bell-ringing apparatus and cigarette butts discovered on the renovation scaffolding.{{cite news |last1=Nossiter |first1=Adam |title=Notre-Dame Fire Investigators Focus on Short-Circuit and Cigarettes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/25/world/europe/notre-dame-fire-investigation.html |access-date=28 April 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=25 April 2019 |url-access=limited}} Le Bras Frères confirmed that its workers had smoked cigarettes, contrary to regulations, but denied that a cigarette butt could have started the fire.{{cite news |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190626-france-paris-notre-dame-fire-no-sign-criminal-cause-prosecutors-probe-negligence |title=No sign of criminal cause in Notre-Dame fire, prosecutors say |access-date=3 April 2021 |work=France24 |date=27 June 2019 |agency=AFP}} The Paris prosecutor's office announced on 26 June that no evidence had been found to suggest a criminal motive.{{cite news |last1=Ganley |first1=Elaine |date=26 June 2019 |title=Paris prosecutor: no sign Notre Dame fire of criminal origin |website=Associated Press News |url=https://apnews.com/180ed163685d41b1869546c1176f6bf3 |access-date=21 July 2020}}

The security employee monitoring the alarm system was new on the job, and was working a second eight-hour shift that day because his relief had not arrived. Additionally, the fire alarm system used to locate fires was labeled in a confusing manner, which contributed to the initial confusion about the location of the fire.

By September, the determination of the exact origin of the fire started was expected to take a great deal more time and work.{{cite web |last1=Richman-Abdou |first1=Kelly |title=Notre-Dame Updates: What We Know About the Cathedral Five Months After the Fire |url=https://mymodernmet.com/notre-dame-fire-updates/ |website=My Modern Met |language=en |date=10 September 2019}} By 15 April 2020, investigators believed the fire "to have been started by either a cigarette or a short circuit in the electrical system".

File:Chartres roof space the Charpente de Fer.jpg was rebuilt with wrought iron trusses and copper sheeting after an 1836 fire.{{cite web |title=Chartres Cathedral – Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres |url=https://chartrescathedral.net/ |access-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417033837/https://chartrescathedral.net/ |archive-date=17 April 2019 |url-status=live}}]]

On the night of the fire, Macron said that the cathedral would be rebuilt, and launched an international fundraising campaign.{{cite web |url=https://www.apnews.com/91d9711a9e5549109dd04d264e02b720 |title=The Latest: French leader vows to rebuild damaged Notre Dame |date=15 April 2019 |website=AP News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415215922/https://apnews.com/91d9711a9e5549109dd04d264e02b720 |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=15 April 2019}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/15/notre-dame-fire-paris-france-cathedral |title=Notre Dame fire: Macron pledges to rebuild devastated Paris cathedral |first1=Angelique |last1=Chrisafis |first2=Jon |last2=Henley |date=16 April 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=16 April 2019 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416000607/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/15/notre-dame-fire-paris-france-cathedral |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=The Notre Dame Cathedral will rise again, French President Emmanuel Macron promises |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/04/15/notre-dame-cathedral-whats-next-rebuild-emmanuel-macron/3479116002/ |access-date=16 April 2019 |newspaper=USA Today |first=Kristin |last=Lam |date=15 April 2019}} France's cathedrals have been owned by the state since 1905,{{cite news |title=Macron says he wants Notre-Dame rebuilt in 5 years |first1=Victor |last1=Mallet |first2=Harriet |last2=Agnew |url=https://www.ft.com/content/62ac5270-6015-11e9-b285-3acd5d43599e |date=16 April 2019 |website=Financial Times |access-date=24 April 2019}} and are not privately insured.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/notre-dame-cathedral-rebuild-in-paris-could-take-40-years/ |title=Why an expert says it could take 40 years to rebuild Notre Dame |first=Haley |last=Ott |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=17 April 2019 |website=CBS News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416172154/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/notre-dame-cathedral-rebuild-in-paris-could-take-40-years/ |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}

The heritage conservation organisation Fondation du Patrimoine estimated the damage in the hundreds of millions of euros. Although art in the building and multiple construction companies were insured, according to President Robert Leblanc,{{cite web |url=https://www.fondationavenirpatrimoineparis.fr/nous-connaitre/notre-organisation-fondation-patrimoine/ |title=Our organization |publisher=Fondation Avenir du Patrimoine à Paris |access-date=24 April 2019}} losses from the fire are not expected to substantially affect the insurance industry.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-17/france-s-axa-insured-notre-dame-artwork-two-construction-firms |title=France's Axa Insured Notre Dame Art, Two Construction Firms |first=Katherine |last=Chiglinsky |date=17 April 2019 |access-date=24 April 2019 |url-access=subscription |website=Bloomberg News}} European art insurers stated the cost would be similar to ongoing renovations of the Palace of Westminster in London, which was estimated to be around €7{{nbsp}}billion.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-insurance/insurers-expect-france-to-bear-notre-dame-rebuilding-cost-idUSKCN1RS1LO |title=Insurers expect France to bear Notre-Dame rebuilding cost |first1=Noor Zainab |last1=Hussain |first2=Paul |last2=Arnold |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416193024/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-insurance/insurers-expect-france-to-bear-notre-dame-rebuilding-cost-idUSKCN1RS1LO |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} This cost does not include damage to any of the artwork or artefacts within the cathedral; art insurers said any pieces on loan from other museums would have been insured, but the works owned by the cathedral would not have been insurable.

While Macron hoped the cathedral could be restored in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, experts expect the work could take from 10 to 40 years. The repairs must balance the desires to restore the look of the original building, to use wood and stone from the regions used in the original construction, and to use a structure that will not collapse again.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/04/16/notre-dame-cathedral-whats-next-rebuild-emmanuel-macron/3482371002/ |title=Why Notre Dame didn't completely crumble in the blaze. And why it could take decades to repair. |first3=Kristin |last3=Lam |first1=Ryan W. |last1=Miller |first2=Doyle |last2=Rice |date=17 April 2019 |access-date=23 April 2019 |work=USA Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420204712/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/04/16/notre-dame-cathedral-whats-next-rebuild-emmanuel-macron/3482371002/ |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live}}

There is discussion of whether to reconstruct the cathedral in modified form.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-arcelormittal-idUSKCN1RU0V2 |last1=Kar-Gupta |first1=Sudip |last2=Lough |first2=Richard |date=18 April 2019 |title=Steelmaker ArcelorMittal to offer steel for Notre-Dame Cathedral restoration |publisher=Reuters |access-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418094802/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-arcelormittal-idUSKCN1RU0V2 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Rebuilding the roof with titanium sheets and steel trusses has been suggested;{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Patrick |title=How new tech might help Notre-Dame rebuild |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47971914 |date=18 April 2019 |website=BBC News |access-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418173230/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47971914 |archive-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=live}} other options include rebuilding in the original lead and wood, rebuilding with modern materials not visible from the outside (like the reinforced concrete trusses at Reims Cathedral),{{cite news |last1=Silverstein |first1=Hannah |last2=Camerlenghi |first2=Nicola |title=After the Fire, a 21st-Century Notre Dame |url=https://news.dartmouth.edu/news/2019/04/after-fire-21st-century-notre-dame |work=Dartmouth News |date=18 April 2019 |access-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420195317/https://news.dartmouth.edu/news/2019/04/after-fire-21st-century-notre-dame |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live}} or using a combination of restored old elements and newly designed ones.{{cite news |last1=Clarke |first1=Joseph L. |title=Opinion: The reconstruction of Notre-Dame is not the only answer |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-reconstruction-of-notre-dame-is-not-the-only-answer/ |work=The Globe and Mail |access-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418183215/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-reconstruction-of-notre-dame-is-not-the-only-answer/ |archive-date=18 April 2019 |url-status=live}}

File:Notre-Dame bachée.jpgs over metal beams were quickly rigged to protect the interior from the elements. Nettings protect the destabilised exterior.{{cite news |last1=Nossiter |first1=Adam |title=Notre-Dame, Ravaged by Fire, Faces a New Threat: Rain |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/23/world/europe/notre-dame-fire-protect.html |work=The New York Times |date=23 April 2019 |url-access=limited}}]]

French prime minister Édouard Philippe announced an architectural design competition for a new spire "adapted to the techniques and the challenges of our era."{{cite web |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/04/15/fire-underway-at-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-firefighters-say |title=Notre Dame fire: Global contest launched to design new spire for blaze-hit cathedral |date=18 April 2019 |first1=Emma |last1=Beswick |first2=Cristina |last2=Abellan Matamoros |website=Euronews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415221945/https://www.euronews.com/2019/04/15/fire-underway-at-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-firefighters-say |archive-date=15 April 2019 |url-status=live |access-date=24 April 2019}}{{cite news |title=Notre Dame Fire: France Is Holding an International Competition for Architects to Design the Cathedral's New Spire |website=Newsweek |first=Brendan |last=Cole |url=https://www.newsweek.com/notre-dame-france-holding-international-competition-architects-design-1399017 |date=17 April 2019 |access-date=24 April 2019}} The spire replacement project gathered a variety of designs and some controversy, particularly its legal exemption from environmental and heritage rules.{{cite news |last1=Marshall |first1=Alex |title=Glass, Golden Flames or a Beam of Light: What Should Replace Notre-Dame's Spire? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/10/arts/design/notre-dame-spire-designs.html |work=The New York Times |date=10 May 2019 |url-access=limited}} After the design competition was announced, the French Senate amended the government's proposed restoration bill to require the roof to be restored to how it was before the fire.{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/notre-dame-cathedral-roof-fire-design-competition-paris-france-a8968791.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/notre-dame-cathedral-roof-fire-design-competition-paris-france-a8968791.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Notre Dame design competition seeks new roof for world famous Paris cathedral |last=James |first=Liam |date=21 June 2019 |work=Independent |access-date=26 June 2019 |location=London}} The National Assembly rejected this amendment, and on 16 July 2019, 95 days after the fire that destroyed the cathedral's roof and central spire, the law that governs the restoration of the cathedral was finally approved by the Parliament. It recognises its UNESCO World Heritage Site status and the need to respect existing international charters and practices, to "preserve the historic, artistic and architectural history of the monument", and to limit any derogations to the existing heritage, planning, environmental and construction codes to a minimum. It left the architectural form of the reconstruction and the spire design undetermined.{{cite web |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/analysis/it-s-official-the-new-notre-dame-will-look-like-the-old-notre-dame |last=Bandarin |first=Francesco |date=2 August 2019 |title=New law regarding Notre Dame says restoration must preserve its 'historic, artistic and architectural interest' |work=The Art Newspaper |access-date=26 October 2020}}{{cite web |title=French Parliament approves Notre Dame restoration bill |url=https://www.dw.com/en/french-parliament-approves-notre-dame-restoration-bill/a-49614561 |website=DW |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=15 April 2023}} In doing so the authenticity associated with the destroyed construction may be restored, but it conversely undermined Viollet-le-Duc's originally more creative approach.{{cite web | url=https://luigimonzo.com/2025/02/14/authenticity-and-integrity-in-built-heritage-preservation-how-the-notre-dame-de-paris-restoration-undermines-the-very-spirit-and-approach-of-viollet-le-duc/ | title=Authenticity and Integrity in Built Heritage Preservation: How the Notre-Dame de Paris Restoration Contradicts Viollet-le-Duc's Vision | date=14 February 2025 }}

In 2020, Jean-Louis Georgelin, a retired high-ranking French general, was appointed to oversee the cathedral's reconstruction; he died on 18 August 2023.{{cite news |last=Willsher |first=Kim |date=19 August 2023 |title=French general in charge of Notre-Dame rebuild dies in mountain fall |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/19/french-general-in-charge-of-notre-dame-cathedral-rebuild-dies-in-mountain-fall |accessdate=19 August 2023 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |date=19 August 2023 |title=French general in charge of Notre-Dame reconstruction found dead in Pyrenees |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230819-french-ex-army-chief-in-charge-of-notre-dame-rebuild-dies |accessdate=19 August 2023 |publisher=France 24}} On 15 April 2020, Germany offered to restore "some of the large clerestory windows located far above eye level" with three expert tradesmen who specialize in rebuilding cathedrals. Monika Grütters, Germany's Commissioner for Culture, was quoted as saying "her country would shoulder the costs".{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/europe_germany-offers-help-rebuild-fire-damaged-notre-dame/6187574.html |date=15 April 2020 |title=Germany Offers to Help Rebuild Fire-Damaged Notre Dame |work=VOA |access-date=23 June 2020}}

On 15 April 2022, French president Emmanuel Macron visited the cathedral as the country marked the third anniversary of the fire.{{Cite news |date=16 April 2022 |title=Macron visits Notre Dame on third anniversary of huge fire |work=One News |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/04/16/macron-visits-notre-dame-on-third-anniversary-of-huge-fire/ |access-date=14 May 2022 |archive-date=8 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508015816/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/04/16/macron-visits-notre-dame-on-third-anniversary-of-huge-fire/ |url-status=dead }} Macron toured the site where works are being carried out to restore the iconic landmark and spoke to those undertaking the project about their progress so far. In the spring of 2022, eight workshops of master glassmakers and locksmiths, selected across France, began the process of cleaning and restoration of the cathedral's stained glass windows. The Cologne Cathedral workshop from Germany joined the effort by restoring four of the stained glass windows.{{Cite web |last=Rabemanantsoa |first=Anna |title=Notre Dame restoration on track to be completed by 5th anniversary of tragic fire |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/notre-dame-restoration-track-completed-5th-anniversary-tragic/story?id=89512293 |access-date=12 November 2022 |website=ABC News |language=en}} Macron led a video unveiling of the reconstructed building on 29 November 2024, a week ahead of the planned reopening on 7 December 2024.{{cite web |last1=Schaeffer |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Corbet |first2=Sylvie |title=Paris: Notre Dame Cathedral set to reopen in December 2024 |url=https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-spire-reconstruction-reopening-2024-fire-d99092589b54c5f1f512a4c953dc7b07 |website=AP |publisher=Associated Press |date=6 March 2023 }}{{cite news | url = https://apnews.com/article/paris-notre-dame-macron-fire-reconstruction-0a6c183693b55a55e0dc3a909000cb02 | title = Notre Dame Cathedral unveils its new interior 5 years after devastating fire | first1 = Thomas | last1 = Adamson | first2 = John | last2 = Leicester | date = 29 November 2024 | accessdate = 29 November 2024 | work = Associated Press News }}

{{As of|2019|04|22}}, donations of over €1{{nbsp}}billion had been pledged for the cathedral's reconstruction,{{cite news |title=Notre Dame fire was a warning bell. But will Europe listen? |first=Raf |last=Casert |website=AP News |date=22 April 2019 |url=https://apnews.com/9d791857100b4eabb9f63a32a1c4cdaf |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423073824/https://www.apnews.com/9d791857100b4eabb9f63a32a1c4cdaf |archive-date=23 April 2019 |url-status=live}} at least €880{{nbsp}}million of that in less than a day after Macron's appeal.{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/5571518/notre-dame-donations/ |magazine=Time |first=Ciara |last=Nugent |title=Pledges Reach Almost $1 Billion To Rebuild Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral |date=17 April 2019 |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423151848/http://time.com/5571518/notre-dame-donations/ |archive-date=23 April 2019 |url-status=live}} Pledges €10M and over include:

{{div col|colwidth=18em|content=

• Arnault family & LVMH (€200M){{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-arnault/billionaire-arnaults-family-and-lvmh-to-donate-200-mln-euros-for-paris-notre-dame-idUSKCN1RS0H8 |title=Billionaire Arnault's family and LVMH to donate 200 mln euros for Paris' Notre-Dame |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |work=Reuters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416065656/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-notredame-arnault/billionaire-arnaults-family-and-lvmh-to-donate-200-mln-euros-for-paris-notre-dame-idUSKCN1RS0H8 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}
• Bettencourt family & L'Oréal (€200M){{cite web |title=Notre-Dame: LVMH et la famille Arnault annoncent un 'don de 200 millions d'euros' |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/notre-dame-lvmh-et-la-famille-arnault-annoncent-un-don-de-200-millions-d-euros-20190416 |website=Le Figaro |date=16 April 2019 |language=fr |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416071632/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/notre-dame-lvmh-et-la-famille-arnault-annoncent-un-don-de-200-millions-d-euros-20190416 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}
• Pinault family & Artémis (€100M){{cite web |title=Incendie à Notre-Dame: la famille Pinault débloque 100 millions d'euros |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/notre-dame-de-paris-la-famille-pinault-debloque-100-millions-d-euros-20190416 |website=Le Figaro |date=16 April 2019 |language=fr |access-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417095409/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/notre-dame-de-paris-la-famille-pinault-debloque-100-millions-d-euros-20190416 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |url-status=live}}
• Total SA (€100M){{cite web |title=France-Total fait un don de 100 millions d'euros pour Notre-Dame de Paris |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/france-total-fait-un-don-de-100-millions-d-euros-pour-notre-dame-de-paris-20190416 |work=Le Figaro |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416120814/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/france-total-fait-un-don-de-100-millions-d-euros-pour-notre-dame-de-paris-20190416 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}
• Paris city government (€50M){{cite news |title=Notre-Dame: la mairie de Paris débloque 50 millions d'euros |date=16 April 2019 |url=http://www.courrier-picard.fr/178003/article/2019-04-16/notre-dame-la-mairie-de-paris-debloque-50-millions-deuros |website=courrier-picard.fr |language=fr |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416123425/http://www.courrier-picard.fr/178003/article/2019-04-16/notre-dame-la-mairie-de-paris-debloque-50-millions-deuros |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Notre-Dame de Paris: cagnottes, promesses de dons et souscription nationale pour financer la reconstruction |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2019/04/16/notre-dame-les-cagnottes-se-multiplient-et-macron-annonce-une-souscription-nationale_5450645_3224.html |work=Le Monde |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416035552/https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2019/04/16/notre-dame-les-cagnottes-se-multiplient-et-macron-annonce-une-souscription-nationale_5450645_3224.html |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}
• BNP Paribas SA (€20M){{cite news |title=BNP Paribas, SocGen Join Notre Dame Donor List as Pledges Exceed $790 Million |first=Cristina |last=Roca |date=17 April 2019 |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/BNP-PARIBAS-4618/news/BNP-Paribas-SocGen-Join-Notre-Dame-Donor-List-as-Pledges-Exceed-790-Million-28437868/ |website=Market Screener |agency=Dow Jones |access-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417120827/https://www.marketscreener.com/BNP-PARIBAS-4618/news/BNP-Paribas-SocGen-Join-Notre-Dame-Donor-List-as-Pledges-Exceed-790-Million-28437868/?utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=20190417 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |url-status=live}}
• Decaux family & JCDecaux (€20M){{cite web |url=https://www.boursorama.com/actualite-economique/actualites/le-secteur-prive-promet-autour-de-700-millions-d-euros-pour-reconstruire-notre-dame-2dd239e4d8c0d278d0c6425acf2a02bc |title=Le secteur privé promet autour de 700 millions d'euros pour reconstruire Notre-Dame |date=16 April 2019 |website=Boursorama |language=fr |agency=Agence France-Presse (AFP) |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417103328/https://www.boursorama.com/actualite-economique/actualites/le-secteur-prive-promet-autour-de-700-millions-d-euros-pour-reconstruire-notre-dame-2dd239e4d8c0d278d0c6425acf2a02bc |url-status=dead }}
• AXA SA (€10M){{cite press release |url=https://www.axa.com/fr/newsroom/communiques-de-presse/axa-s-associe-a-l-elan-de-solidarite-apres-l-incendie-de-notre-dame-de-paris |title=AXA s'associe à l'élan de solidarité après l'incendie de Notre-Dame de Paris |publisher=AXA |date=16 April 2019 |language=fr}}
• Lily Safra (€10M){{cite news |title=Plus de 800 millions d'euros de dons pour la reconstruction de Notre-Dame |date=16 April 2019 |url=https://www.dna.fr/actualite/2019/04/16/les-promesses-de-dons-affluent-pour-la-reconstruction-de-notre-dame |website=Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace |access-date=23 April 2019 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416113934/https://www.dna.fr/actualite/2019/04/16/les-promesses-de-dons-affluent-pour-la-reconstruction-de-notre-dame |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}
• Bouygues family (€10M){{cite news |language=fr-FR |title=Entreprises et grandes fortunes se mobilisent pour la reconstruction de Notre-Dame |work=La Croix |date=16 April 2019 |issn=0242-6056 |url=https://www.la-croix.com/Economie/Entreprises-grandes-fortunes-mobilisent-reconstruction-Notre-Dame-2019-04-16-1301016005 |access-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416120223/https://www.la-croix.com/Economie/Entreprises-grandes-fortunes-mobilisent-reconstruction-Notre-Dame-2019-04-16-1301016005 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}
• De Lacharrière family & FIMALAC (€10M)
• Île-de-France (€10M)
• Société Générale (€10M)
• BPCE (€10M)

}}

There have been many additional pledges for smaller, or undisclosed, amounts.{{cite news |last1=Petrequin |first1=Samuel |title=Anger followed Notre Dame grief for yellow vest protesters |url=https://apnews.com/efb3aba4f029493a9b730d0b532c01bb |work=AP News |date=19 April 2019 |access-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420031730/https://apnews.com/efb3aba4f029493a9b730d0b532c01bb |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://rs.n1info.com/Vesti/a478180/Vlada-Srbije-uputila-Francuskoj-milion-evra-za-obnovu-katedrale-Notr-Dam.html |title=Vlada Srbije uputila Francuskoj milion evra za obnovu katedrale Notr Dam |website=N1 Srbija |language=sr-Latn |access-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422135412/http://rs.n1info.com/Vesti/a478180/Vlada-Srbije-uputila-Francuskoj-milion-evra-za-obnovu-katedrale-Notr-Dam.html |archive-date=22 April 2019 |url-status=live}} A proposal by former minister Jean-Jacques Aillagon that corporate donations for Notre-Dame should get a 90% tax deduction (rather than the standard 60%) was retracted after public outcry.{{cite news |last1=Alderman |first1=Liz |last2=Erlanger |first2=Steven |title=As Rich Lavish Cash on Notre-Dame, Many Ask: What About the Needy? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/17/world/europe/yellow-vest-notre-dame-fire-donations.html |work=The New York Times |date=17 April 2019 |access-date=20 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420191224/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/17/world/europe/yellow-vest-notre-dame-fire-donations.html |archive-date=20 April 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Some donors have said they will not seek tax deductions. Donors exempted from income tax (more than half of French taxpayers, including working- and middle-class) are not eligible for such deductions.{{cite news |last1=Reich |first1=Rob |title=Donors have pledged nearly a billion euros to restore Notre Dame. You may not want to thank them. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/04/19/donors-have-pledged-nearly-billion-euros-restore-notre-dame-you-may-not-want-thank-them/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=19 April 2019 |access-date=18 May 2019 |url-access=limited}}

{{As of|2019|06|14}}, only €80{{nbsp}}million had been collected.{{cite web |url=https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2019/06/14/apenas-9percent-das-promessas-de-doacoes-a-notre-dame-foram-cumpridas.ghtml |date=14 June 2019 |title=Only 9% of the donation pledges to Notre-Dame have been fulfilled |work=Global G1 |access-date=14 June 2019 |language=pt}}{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190614-only-9-millions-pledged-notre-dame-handed-over |date=14 June 2019 |title=Only 9% of millions pledged for Notre-Dame handed over |work=France 24 |access-date=14 June 2019 |agency=AFP}} The minister in charge of national museums and monuments, Franck Riester, predicted that further donations would materialise as reconstruction work progressed, though it was reported that some who made pledges have renounced them because fundraising has been so successful.{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190615-paris-notre-dame-cathedral-first-mass-after-devastating-fire-france |date=15 June 2019 |title=Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral to hold first mass since devastating fire |work=France 24 |access-date=15 June 2019 |agency=AFP}} By September 2021 at least 320,000 donors had contributed over €840 million to the rebuilding effort.{{cite web|url=https://p.dw.com/p/3asWe |last=Oelze |first=Sabine |date=27 April 2020 |title=Construction work on Notre Dame begins again|website=DW |access-date=23 June 2020|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428120607/https://www.dw.com/en/construction-work-on-notre-dame-begins-again/a-53118416 |archive-date=28 April 2020|publisher=Deutsche Welle}}

The current status of the restoration is posted regularly by the organisation the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris.{{Cite web|url=https://www.friendsofnotredamedeparis.org/thank-you/|title = Thank you for joining|date = 8 July 2020|author= |website=Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris |access-date=12 June 2022}}

On 7 December 2024, Notre-Dame was reopened following the completion of reconstruction efforts.{{cite news |date=2024-12-02 |title=Paris prepares to host 50 heads of state at high-security reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20241202-paris-prepares-to-host-world-leaders-catholic-bishops-at-high-security-reopening-of-notre-dame |access-date=6 December 2024 |agency=France 24}}

Although reopened, Notre-Dame restoration efforts are set to continue until 2027. This includes restoration of the chevet and sacristy, installation of stained glass windows, and restoration of the forecourt and approach to the cathedral.{{Cite web |title=Notre-Dame de Paris - Reopening - Opening to the public |url=https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/notre-dame-the-current-situation-a741 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=Paris je t'aime - Tourist office |language=en-US}}

The fire was the subject of the 2022 French disaster film Notre-Dame on Fire directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud.

{{Portal|France|Catholicism|Architecture}}

• 1984 York Minster fire
• 1992 Windsor Castle fire
• 2009 St Mel's Cathedral fire
• 2019 Shuri Castle fire
• 2024 Børsen fire
• Construction and renovation fires
• List of building or structure fires
• List of destroyed heritage
• List of fires at major places of worship

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|2019 Notre-Dame de Paris fire}}

• [http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en Notre-Dame de Paris] – official site
• [https://www.friendsofnotredamedeparis.org/ Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris] – official 501(c)(3) charity leading the international fundraising efforts to rebuild and restore Notre-Dame Cathedral
• [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/saving-notre-dame/ NOVA Series TV Show from PBS – Saving Notre Dame] – Scientists and engineers fight to save Notre Dame Cathedral after the 2019 fire
• [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/saving-notre-dame/ NOVA Series TV Show from PBS – Saving Notre Dame's Flying Buttresses] – Engineers install supports to the 14 flying buttresses to prevent their collapse after the 2019 fire; these supports stabilized the structure to allow for work on the interior – 3 minutes
• [https://www.nga.gov/research/library/imagecollections/features/notre-dame.html Before the Fire: Notre-Dame de Paris in Pictures]

{{Notre-Dame de Paris|state=collapsed}}

Category:2019 disasters in France

Category:2019 fires in Europe

Category:2019 in Christianity

Category:2019 in Paris

Category:4th arrondissement of Paris

Category:April 2019 in France

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:Building and structure collapses caused by fire

Category:Building and structure collapses in 2019

Category:Building and structure fires during construction or renovation

Category:Building and structure fires in France

Category:Church fires in Europe

Category:Fires in Paris

Category:Notre-Dame de Paris

Category:Paris Fire Brigade