Notre-Dame to reopen after brutal 2019 fire: See photos, videos from inside restored cathedral

A week before Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to open its doors, photos and videos have been released of the reconstructed place of worship.

The landmark closed to the public after a fire in April 2019, left considerable damage.

A lengthy probe ruled out arson and determined the fire was caused by an accident. The fire was either an electrical fault or sparked by a smoldering cigarette left by a worker.

After the fire, French President Emmanuel Macron said at the time that Notre-Dame would be rebuilt “more beautiful than ever.”

With more than $700 million in donations, some of the richest families in France ? and many people around the world ? vowed to restore one of Paris' signature sites, USA TODAY reported at the time.

Before the fire, the cathedral itself was regarded as an architectural feat filled with symbolic decorations, colorful glass, artworks, and gargoyles. Its towers are more than 220 feet tall, and the building is more than 400 feet long. At almost 52,000 square feet, it is home to a number of important relics including the Crown of Thorns, a wreath of thorns believed by the faithful to have been placed on the head of Jesus Christ at his crucifixion.

According to the cathedral's website, it will reopen its doors on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8. However, the reopening ceremony will be by invitation only.

Starting the week of Dec. 7 to Dec. 15, reopening celebrations will begin, Notre-Dame officials said. In addition, two “Magnificat” concerts will conclude the sequence on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18. Events will continue until June 8, 2025, the day of Pentecost, the cathedral said.

Here is a look at the inside of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Video gives inside look in to Notre-Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame Cathedral rebuilt ‘more beautiful than ever’

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, food recalls, health, lottery, and public policy stories. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram, Threads, and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See photos, videos from inside Notre Dame Cathedral before reopening