TRANSCRIPT:
The Notre Dame de Paris (or Our Lady of Paris) is one of the French capital's most beloved and visited monuments, celebrated for its rib vaulting, flying buttresses, stunning stained-glass windows and carved stone gargoyles.
But in April 2019, clouds of smoke filled the skies of Paris as the medieval Gothic masterpiece was ravaged by flames.
The 93-metre-tall spire collapsed, and a large part of the roof was reduced to ashes.
Now, five years later, the bells of Notre Dame are finally ringing again.
The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, has officially marked the reopening of the historic 12th century cathedral with three knocks on the door wielding a staff carved from fire-scorched beams as a chorus of voices sang out beneath the cathedral's soaring arches.
Notre Dame's rector, Reverend Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, says the reopening is charged with emotion.
"The reopening of the cathedral is an important moment. We've been waiting for it for a long time. At the same time, Notre Dame de Paris is the very sign of the presence of a soul in the heart of our city. It's important for Parisians, it's important for Catholics, it's important for the French and for the whole world. The emotion felt five years ago is the same emotion felt today."
The road to the reopening has been long and arduous, requiring the tireless efforts of nearly 1,000 workers to be completed within the five-year deadline set by French President Emmanuel Macron.
In his speech, Macron praised the bravery of the fire fighters who battled the 2019 blaze and thanked all those who helped in the rebuild - including donors from around the world who helped to raise $1.4 billion for the project.
"To achieve this, a never seen fraternity, fraternity of those who have donated from all continents, from all religions, from all fortunes, united in hope and in one place."
Ionna Vautrin is the designer of the new chairs in Notre Dame.
She says she's grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of the momentous refurbishment.
"I took this task with a little fear I must admit, but also with a huge sense of responsibility at the idea of designing these chairs that will welcome millions of visitors."
The official reopening has been attended by more than 2500 guests, among them US President-elect Donald Trump, America’s first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
It offered an opportunity for President Macron - embroiled in his own political crisis after the collapse of the French government - to welcome Trump to Paris, and hold a hastily arranged meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"President, I just - it is a great honour for French people to welcome you five years later. And you were at the time president, the first time, and I remember the solidarity and your immediate reaction, so welcome back again. We are very happy to have you here."
Notre Dame has been rebuilt to match the unique 19th-century Gothic construction the world had come to cherish.
Its original frame and spire have been renewed, as have its sparkling stained-glass windows and the unique sound of its organs.
And to the delight of its visitors, with a first deep rumble, the great organ of Notre Dame awakened from its more than 5-year silence.
Despite five years of inquiry and expert reports, no precise cause of the 2019 fire was ever identified, and that investigation is drawing to a close.
There will now be eight days of masses held to mark the official reopening of the church, for specific groups of the faithful and guests including donors and firefighters.
Emmanuel Macron says they will find the new cathedral even more spectacular than it was before.
"The bells have rung out. The pipe organ will awaken soon, and the faithful will also follow and come pray here. The world will find this cathedral rebuilt and built more beautiful - and embellished. And we will have to remember this lesson of fragility, humility and strong willpower."
