Five years after a catastrophic fire, Paris's beloved cathedral will open to great fanfare. Nat Geo got exclusive access to witness how an army of architects and artisans rebuilt the church back to its sacred splendor.

Notre-Dame Cathedral will soon reopen its doors after undergoing a five-year renovation period. A fire on April 15, 2019 left significant damage to the iconic cathedral and prompted its yearslong closure to the public. For over eight centuries, the cathedral has been a place of worship and gatherings, as well as a popular tourist attraction.

The devastating fire was more than a loss to architecture; it was a cultural tragedy, a reminder of how fragile even the most enduring symbols can be.