Notre Dame reopens its doors in rare symbol of global unity

The restoration is widely seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron

Notre Dame Cathedral has been painstakingly restored. Picture: Pool via AP

France’s historic Notre Dame Cathedral is reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019.

The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is widely seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline – and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes.