French President Emmanuel Macron has visited Notre-Dame Cathedral to mark one year until its scheduled reopening.
The Paris landmark has been closed to the public since April 2019, when a blaze burned through its roof and spire.
As rebuilding and restoration works have taken place, Mr Macron has visited frequently to highlight the progress.
Photos from his latest visit, his sixth since the fire, show huge oak beams that have been lifted skyward so the cathedral can be re-roofed.
Image: Emmanuel Macron wears a hard hat during a tour of the cathedral
Image: Carpenters working on the Notre-Dame roof
Image: Mr Macron’s wife Brigitte Macron also toured the cathedral
Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron went up the spire, which is being reconstructed from its previous design by the 19th century French architect Viollet-le-Duc.
The 96-metre spire has been rebuilt using centuries-old wood from a former royal forest.
Image: The final year of restoration works is now under way
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It will soon be topped with a cross and rooster, restoring an emotional symbol of French heritage.
Photographs taken from outside the cathedral show that the cross is nearly ready to be unveiled.
Image: Part of the cross is seen at the top of the spire
Image: The view from the partially-rebuilt spire
Image: Notre-Dame has been closed to the public since the April 2019 fire
Mr Macron told reporters: “Since April 2019, the entire nation has been rebuilding.
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“And it’s very moving to be here a year before. You can see the extraordinary progress of the work on this nave, the choir and the frames and the spire.”
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Image: The Paris landmark is being painstakingly restored to its former glory
Mr Macron also paid tribute to General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who oversaw Notre-Dame’s reconstruction and died in August.
The French president helped as General Georgelin’s name was inscribed in the wood of the spire, in honour of his contribution to the cathedral.
Source : Sky News
