French President Emmanuel Macron visited Paris' iconic Notre-Dame cathedral on Friday, marking his final visit before the landmark reopens to the public next week, following more than five years of intensive reconstruction.

The cathedral was severely damaged by a devastating fire on the evening of April 15, 2019, which destroyed much of the roof and caused the spire to collapse. The fire, which shocked viewers worldwide, also threatened the cathedral’s bell towers, although they and the façade survived. The blaze was an international tragedy, with the sight of the medieval structure in flames drawing global sympathy.

Since the fire, a massive reconstruction effort has been underway to restore Notre-Dame to its former glory. On Friday, drone footage revealed the completed spire, while scaffolding remained in place around parts of the façade as workers rushed to finalise the restoration ahead of the official reopening on December 7.

Whilst the exact cause of the fire remains unclear, French authorities have speculated that an electrical fault or a discarded cigarette may have been to blame.

Macron’s visit comes at a time when the world-famous cathedral is on the verge of returning to its role as a symbol of French heritage, following years of painstaking restoration.

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