A fire broke out under the eaves of the Notre Dame Cathedral roof on April 15, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. local Paris time. The fire engulfed the spire and most of the roof, continuing to burn until the next morning. Eventually hundreds of firefighters were able to gain control of the flames, saving the main structure of the cathedral, including the bell towers and old rose windows. Nobody was injured and the relics and works of art in the cathedral were rescued and kept in a secure location. However, the cathedral remained unstable due to fire, smoke and water damage. Investigators say that the fire was caused by a short circuit or a cigarette left unattended, according to wsls.com.

“I was stunned,” French teacher Erica Guittar said. “We were preparing to leave for France that summer, and the kids were coming into my room freaking out.”

The cathedral kept its doors shut to the public while they underwent necessary renovations and repair work for more than five years, taking longer than anticipated due to lack of original resources, since the Notre Dame was originally built from 1163-1345.

Three new bells were brought to the cathedral on Nov. 7, 2024. One of the bells is the Olympic bell, which was recently used in the Paris 2024 Olympic games, being gifted by the Paris 2024 Olympic Committee. The other two bells going alongside it are smaller than the Olympic bell. Modern features being added to the cathedral shows the old meeting the new instead of completely replacing the old, according to npr.org.

“I think it is a wonderful gesture,” Guittar said. “It goes to show that the French are living out the brotherhood portion of their motto liberty, equality and brotherhood.”

The Notre Dame Cathedral held a Sunday Mass for the first time in five years on Dec. 8, presenting the cathedral’s new altar. Roughly 170 bishops from around the world and over a hundred priests participated in the mass. They held a grand opening, with thousands of people lining up in the streets to get a glimpse inside. The event was invite-only, hosting the royal family and international political figures, according to jpost.com.

“I am so excited for my students and myself,” Guittar said. “It's been quite a bit of time since I've been up close and even longer since I've been inside the Cathedral. I’m hoping we’ll be able to squeeze in, actually going inside.”