Notre Dame Cathedral resurrection: What to expect when the Cathedral reopens on December 7

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris reopens after fire, showcasing stunning Gothic architecture and rich history.

Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral reopens on December 7, five-and-a-half years after fire destroyed its roof and spire and caused major damage throughout.

Here is what you need to know:

A medieval Gothic masterpiece, Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris) is one of the French capital’s most beloved and visited monuments, celebrated for its rib vaulting, flying buttresses, stunning stained-glass windows and carved stone gargoyles.

The first stone was laid in 1163, and construction continued for much of the next century, with major restoration and additions made in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Victor Hugo helped make the Cathedral a symbol of both Paris and France when he used it as a setting for his 1831 novel, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. Quasimodo, the main character, has been portrayed in Hollywood movies, an animated Disney adaptation and in musicals.

On the evening of April 15, 2019, the Cathedral’s roof burst into flames. Soon, the fire had engulfed the spire and almost toppled the main bell towers. Around the world, TV viewers watched with horror. Much of the roof collapsed but the bell towers and facade held. It remains unclear what exactly caused the fire. Authorities have ruled out arson and said an electrical fault or a burning cigarette may have been responsible.

Scheduled to begin around 7 p.m. (1800 GMT), the non-religious part of the ceremony was originally supposed to take place in a big tent in the Cathedral’s forecourt, but now all will take place inside the Cathedral due to forecast heavy winds. It is set to start with the screening of a documentary on the reconstruction, followed by live classical music. President Emmanuel Macron, who is embroiled in a political crisis after the collapse of the French government, is scheduled to give a brief speech. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will be among the guests, as will President Joe Biden’s wife Jill and dozens of heads of state and government, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.