The fire of 15 April 2019
The fire broke out on the evening of 15 April 2019, shortly after 6:30 p.m. according to the Interior Ministry's report of 18 April 2019. It spread quickly through the roof area, and the response lasted until the next morning. The ministry puts the number of firefighters at almost 600.
This page is an independent summary. It keeps to what official reports state and gives no exact timeline for the alarms and the collapse, because that cannot be reconstructed minute by minute from the sources used here.
What was lost and what stood
The damage, in plain terms.
The roof and the crossing tower
The roof burned and the crossing tower, often called the spire, collapsed. The cathedral's own guide states that it was rebuilt to its earlier appearance. The rebuilt tower is 96 m high.
The two west towers
The towers were saved, even though beams in the belfry of the north tower were charred. You can climb them again, see the towers page.
The rose windows
The rose windows were reported as saved together with the main structure and the bell towers, and an official source confirms that the glazing survived. Saved does not mean free of damage, and it does not mean that every pane is original glass.
The rooster
The old rooster on the spire was damaged in the fire. The new rooster contains the relics that were kept in the old one.
Notre-Dame tours and Paris day trips
Guided visits, Seine cruises and city tours near the cathedral, with live prices and availability.
The rescue of the relics and art
A human chain and a first stop at the town hall.
The crown of thorns was saved together with the tunic of Saint Louis and other works of art. They were passed out by a human chain and first taken to the Paris town hall. This is the account in the city's report of 25 April 2019.
The treasury of the cathedral is a separate paid visit at €12. Its hours are listed on the opening hours page.
What you can see of it today
Traces of the fire and of the rebuilding.
Inside the cathedral
The interior is open to visitors and entry is free. Online reservation is optional and costs nothing. The tickets page explains how it works, and the opening hours page lists the hours.
On the tower route
The route up the west towers shows the rebuilt roof frame and the chimeras. It needs a timed ticket at €16 in 2026. The towers page has the details.
Around the building
Reopening did not end the building site. Works on the east end, with its flying buttresses and outer walls, started in 2025. Squares around the cathedral are partly closed.
The figures on this page come from official reports. The early ones, from 2019, are historical accounts of the response and not a current status of the building. For the state of the works today, see the restoration page.
The cause of the fire
Only an official finding would count.
This guide names no cause. A cause belongs here only if it comes from an official final finding, and speculation has no place in a guide. A short circuit, a cigarette and arson have all been discussed in the press. None of them is presented here as established, and no person or company is blamed.
For the facts that matter for your visit, the answer is simpler. The cathedral reopened with a ceremony on 7 December 2024, and general visits resumed from 5:30 p.m. on 8 December 2024.
From the fire to the reopening
Four dates between the fire and the towers.
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| 15 April 2019 | Fire destroys the roof and brings down the crossing tower |
| December 2023 | The new rooster, with the relics from the old one, crowns the rebuilt spire |
| 7 December 2024 | Reopening ceremony |
| 20 September 2025 | The tower route reopens to visitors |
The money for the rebuilding is laid out separately, by category, on the restoration page. Work did not end with the reopening. Works on the east end and other parts continue.
Notre-Dame fire: frequently asked questions
When was the Notre-Dame fire?
On the evening of 15 April 2019. The Interior Ministry reports a start shortly after 6:30 p.m. and a response that lasted until the next morning.
What caused the fire?
This page states no cause. Speculation is not treated as fact, and a cause is only worth citing from an official final finding.
What was destroyed?
The roof burned and the crossing tower collapsed. The two west towers, the main structure and the rose windows were saved, though saved does not mean undamaged.
Was the crown of thorns saved?
Yes. It was passed out by a human chain together with the tunic of Saint Louis and other works of art, and first taken to the town hall.
When did Notre-Dame reopen?
The reopening ceremony was on 7 December 2024. General visits began on 8 December 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
Can I visit the cathedral that burned?
Yes. Entry is free, online reservation is optional, and the tower route is a separate paid visit. Works continue on parts of the outside.