French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed world leaders to Paris on Saturday, December 7, for the spectacular reopening ceremony of Notre Dame cathedral, five years after a devastating inferno engulfed the landmark.

The inaugural Mass took place on Sunday, December 8, and the cathedral reopened to the public.

Many will remember watching in horror in 2019 as bright orange flames swallowed the 860-year-old Gothic cathedral, huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as its famed spire toppled from the Paris skyline.

At the time, Macron vowed the charred remains would be restored and set an ambitious deadline of five years. Fast forward just over 2,000 days and the seemingly impossible has been achieved.

Thousands of artisans, engineers, carpenters and other craftspeople came together to resurrect the beloved UNESCO world heritage site. The limestone walls have been methodically cleaned, while numerous other architectural elements and centuries-old relics meticulously restored.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron look on as members of the clergy exit on December 8.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron look on as members of the clergy exit on December 8.
Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
A member of the clergy kneels as Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich leads prayers on December 8.
A member of the clergy kneels as Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich leads prayers on December 8.
Julien De Rosa/AFP/Getty Images
An organist plays during Mass on December 8.
An organist plays during Mass on December 8.
Sipa/AP
People watch a broadcast of the Mass on a screen outside the cathedral on December 8.
People watch a broadcast of the Mass on a screen outside the cathedral on December 8.
Bernat Armangue/AP
A sculpture of Archbishop Sibour is seen next to a stained glass window on December 8.
A sculpture of Archbishop Sibour is seen next to a stained glass window on December 8.
Julien De Rosa/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the clergy walk towards the new main altar after the first Mass on December 8.
Members of the clergy walk towards the new main altar after the first Mass on December 8.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Notre-Dame de Paris
Archbishop Ulrich spreads holy oil on the altar on December 8.
Archbishop Ulrich spreads holy oil on the altar on December 8.
Alessandra Tarantino/Pool/Reuters
Archbishop Ulrich, surrounded by clergy members, leads the Eucharist on December 8.
Archbishop Ulrich, surrounded by clergy members, leads the Eucharist on December 8.
Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool/Reuters
A sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus is seen on December 8.
A sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus is seen on December 8.
Julien De Rosa/AFP/Getty Images
Bishops attend Mass on December 8.
Bishops attend Mass on December 8.
Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool/Reuters
Notre Dame is illuminated during a ceremony to mark its reopening on Saturday, December 8.
Notre Dame is illuminated during a ceremony to mark its reopening on Saturday, December 8.
Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images
President Macron delivers a speech to the 2000-strong congregation. Some 50 heads of state and government were expected in the French capital to attend the ceremony marking the rebuilding of the Gothic masterpiece five years after the 2019 fire ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire.
President Macron delivers a speech to the 2000-strong congregation. Some 50 heads of state and government were expected in the French capital to attend the ceremony marking the rebuilding of the Gothic masterpiece five years after the 2019 fire ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire.
Thibault Camus/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Clerics arrive to attend the ceremony.
Clerics arrive to attend the ceremony.
Christophe Petit Tesson/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Spectators gather outside the 860-year-old cathedral.
Spectators gather outside the 860-year-old cathedral.
Louise Delmotte/AP
The choir, clergy and congregation stand to sing during the grand reopening ceremony.
The choir, clergy and congregation stand to sing during the grand reopening ceremony.
Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters, rescuers and builders involved in the restoration walk through the nave past attendees, including US President-elect Donald Trump, current US first lady Jill Biden and Britain’s Prince William, as well as other world leaders and dignitaries.
Firefighters, rescuers and builders involved in the restoration walk through the nave past attendees, including US President-elect Donald Trump, current US first lady Jill Biden and Britain’s Prince William, as well as other world leaders and dignitaries.
Ludovic Marin/Pool/Reuters
Spectators outside were treated to a light show, with Notre Dame lit with the words for "Thank you" in multiple languages.
Spectators outside were treated to a light show, with Notre Dame lit with the words for "Thank you" in multiple languages.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Shortly after sunset, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, left, Macron and his wife, Brigitte, stand in the refurbished forecourt, as Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich leads a procession of archbishops, bishops and priests to the cathedral doors at the start of the ceremony.
Shortly after sunset, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, left, Macron and his wife, Brigitte, stand in the refurbished forecourt, as Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich leads a procession of archbishops, bishops and priests to the cathedral doors at the start of the ceremony.
Christophe Petit Tesson/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Customers sit inside a restaurant across the cathedral.
Customers sit inside a restaurant across the cathedral.
Bernat Armangue/AP
People walk along the banks of the Seine opposite Notre Dame cathedral hours before its formal reopening.
People walk along the banks of the Seine opposite Notre Dame cathedral hours before its formal reopening.
Louise Delmotte/AP
The nave of the fully restored Notre Dame cathedral. The world was given its first glimpses of the cathedral's resurrection on Friday, November 29.
The nave of the fully restored Notre Dame cathedral. The world was given its first glimpses of the cathedral's resurrection on Friday, November 29.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
A bronze tabernacle is seen on architect Viollet-le-Duc’s altar and the statues that make up the Vow of Louis XIII.
A bronze tabernacle is seen on architect Viollet-le-Duc’s altar and the statues that make up the Vow of Louis XIII.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were mobilized for the five-year restoration, which cost hundreds of millions of euros.
Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were mobilized for the five-year restoration, which cost hundreds of millions of euros.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
Macron meets with Marie Parant, who restored murals in the Saint Marcel's chapel within the building. Twenty-nine chapels surround the interior of the cathedral. They were not part of the original plans for the space but added in the 13th century.
Macron meets with Marie Parant, who restored murals in the Saint Marcel's chapel within the building. Twenty-nine chapels surround the interior of the cathedral. They were not part of the original plans for the space but added in the 13th century.
Christophe Petit Tesson/AFP/Getty Images
A detailed view inside of Notre Dame cathedral.
A detailed view inside of Notre Dame cathedral.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
The dioceses of Paris decided to fully refurnish the interior of the cathedral and tasked French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet with creating new liturgical pieces, including the high altar, ambo, cathedra, tabernacle and baptistry.
The dioceses of Paris decided to fully refurnish the interior of the cathedral and tasked French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet with creating new liturgical pieces, including the high altar, ambo, cathedra, tabernacle and baptistry.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
Macron delivers a speech during his final site visit on November 29. “You have transformed ashes into art,” he told the crowd, which included more than 1,300 people who worked on the restoration.
Macron delivers a speech during his final site visit on November 29. “You have transformed ashes into art,” he told the crowd, which included more than 1,300 people who worked on the restoration.
Sarah Meyssonnier/AFP/Getty Images
The Crown of Thorns is considered one of the most precious relics of Notre Dame. Brought to Paris from the Holy Land in 1263 by Saint Louis, firefighters managed to save it on the night of the fire, though its glass case was broken in the process. A new reliquary has been designed by French artist Sylvain Dubuisson.
The Crown of Thorns is considered one of the most precious relics of Notre Dame. Brought to Paris from the Holy Land in 1263 by Saint Louis, firefighters managed to save it on the night of the fire, though its glass case was broken in the process. A new reliquary has been designed by French artist Sylvain Dubuisson.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
Macron and his wife Brigitte view the new roof structure of Notre Dame. The Elysee described this moment of the walkthrough as “one of the most symbolic” moments of the visit. Before the fire, the roof was nicknamed “the forest” because it was made with oak trees from across France, and due to the density of the vaults. It was the epicenter of the blaze before it collapsed, according to the French government.
Macron and his wife Brigitte view the new roof structure of Notre Dame. The Elysee described this moment of the walkthrough as “one of the most symbolic” moments of the visit. Before the fire, the roof was nicknamed “the forest” because it was made with oak trees from across France, and due to the density of the vaults. It was the epicenter of the blaze before it collapsed, according to the French government.
Sarah Meyssonnier/AP
The choir stalls of Notre Dame on November 29.
The choir stalls of Notre Dame on November 29.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
A general view of the newly-restored nave of Notre Dame. It is the fourth time that the nave has been rebuilt. Before any work could be done, the building first needed to be secured to prevent damaged portions from collapsing and to support the 28 flying buttresses of the nave.
A general view of the newly-restored nave of Notre Dame. It is the fourth time that the nave has been rebuilt. Before any work could be done, the building first needed to be secured to prevent damaged portions from collapsing and to support the 28 flying buttresses of the nave.
Christophe Petit Tesson/AFP/Getty Images
Macron is accompanied on the televised walkthrough by Paris' archbishop Laurent Ulrich and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo on November 29.
Macron is accompanied on the televised walkthrough by Paris' archbishop Laurent Ulrich and Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo on November 29.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
The south rose window, offered as a gift by King Louis the IX, has been restored to its full glory. It’s not the first time it has undergone major works as it had to be reconstructed in the 18th and 19th centuries too.
The south rose window, offered as a gift by King Louis the IX, has been restored to its full glory. It’s not the first time it has undergone major works as it had to be reconstructed in the 18th and 19th centuries too.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
This photograph shows part of a bas-relief outside the Notre Dame cathedral.
This photograph shows part of a bas-relief outside the Notre Dame cathedral.
Stephane de Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
Macron’s first stop on his seventh and final site visit of the refurbished Notre Dame cathedral is the forecourt outside the cathedral. Restoration work here is not yet finished as the surrounding area redevelopment is not due to start until next year, finishing in 2030.
Macron’s first stop on his seventh and final site visit of the refurbished Notre Dame cathedral is the forecourt outside the cathedral. Restoration work here is not yet finished as the surrounding area redevelopment is not due to start until next year, finishing in 2030.
Stephane de Sakutin/Reuters
Pedestrians stop and look at Notre Dame cathedral on Thursday, November 28, ahead of the reopening.
Pedestrians stop and look at Notre Dame cathedral on Thursday, November 28, ahead of the reopening.
Thomas Hubert/SIPA/Shutterstock
Workers operate on scaffoldings around the wooden structure of the new spire of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris in July 2024. This spire was reconstructed to be identical to the original one that was destroyed in the 2019 blaze.
Workers operate on scaffoldings around the wooden structure of the new spire of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris in July 2024. This spire was reconstructed to be identical to the original one that was destroyed in the 2019 blaze.
Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images
A technician works at the reconstruction site in July 2022.
A technician works at the reconstruction site in July 2022.
Geoffroy Van der Hasselt/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Workers plaster stonework as they rappel down a vault inside Notre Dame in April 2021.
Workers plaster stonework as they rappel down a vault inside Notre Dame in April 2021.
Ian Langsdon/Pool/Reuters
An aerial view shows the widespread damage to the cathedral in April 2019. Before the fire, the roof was nicknamed “the forest” because it was made with oak trees from across France. It was the epicenter of the blaze before it collapsed, according to the French government.
An aerial view shows the widespread damage to the cathedral in April 2019. Before the fire, the roof was nicknamed “the forest” because it was made with oak trees from across France. It was the epicenter of the blaze before it collapsed, according to the French government.
Gigarama.ru/AP
The steeple and spire collapse as the roof of the Notre Dame burns.
The steeple and spire collapse as the roof of the Notre Dame burns.
Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images
People watch as smoke and flames rise during the fire at the historic monument in central Paris in April 2019.
People watch as smoke and flames rise during the fire at the historic monument in central Paris in April 2019.
Nicolas Liponne/NurPhoto/Getty Images