In April 2019, a fire tore through Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, destroying its roof and bringing down its famous spire. The damage threatened parts of a landmark whose history stretches back more than 860 years. Among those who stepped forward to help fund its restoration were French billionaire François-Henri Pinault and his father, François Pinault, who pledged €100 million through their family holding company, according to the New York Post. Actor Salma Hayek’s husband Pinault, joined other major donors in supporting the rebuilding effort. More than five years later, Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024, welcoming visitors back to its restored interior.
Notre-Dame Cathedral fire in 2019 caused extensive damage to the historic landmark
According to Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris, the fire broke out on 15 April 2019, sending flames and thick smoke above the Île de la Cité, the historic island in the River Seine where Notre-Dame is located. As emergency crews fought to contain the blaze, part of the cathedral’s roof collapsed and its central spire fell. Images of the burning structure travelled around the world, prompting concern over the survival of one of France’s most recognisable historic buildings.Although the fire destroyed much of the timber roof structure and damaged parts of the cathedral, the main stone structure remained standing. The towers and many of the building’s principal features survived, along with important artworks and religious objects that firefighters and emergency teams helped protect.Notre-Dame had undergone centuries of alterations and repairs, and restoring it would require a careful assessment of the surviving structure before reconstruction could begin. The immediate challenge was to stabilise the building, protect it from further deterioration and determine how its damaged sections could be rebuilt.
How Salma Hayek ’s billionaire husband supported Notre-Dame’s restoration
The pledge placed the Pinault family among the prominent private donors responding to the disaster. François-Henri Pinault, who is married to Hayek, leads Kering, the luxury group associated with luxurious brands. His father founded the business that eventually developed into the group and built a substantial fortune through investments in luxury goods and other sectors.“My father François Pinault and myself have decided to release a sum of €100 million from our Artemis funds, the family holding company, to participate in the effort that will be necessary for the complete reconstruction of Notre-Dame.”The family’s contribution was widely reported in the aftermath of the fire, as wealthy individuals and companies offered financial support for the rebuilding campaign. The donation was intended to help meet the cost of restoring the cathedral, rather than fund a separate project bearing the family’s name.The Arnault family, associated with luxury conglomerate LVMH, and the Bettencourt Meyers family also announced major contributions.
How Notre-Dame was rebuilt after the devastating 2019 fire
The reconstruction was not simply a matter of replacing the sections destroyed by the fire. Specialists had to secure the building, remove damaged materials and develop a plan that respected Notre-Dame’s historic fabric. The work involved traditional craftsmanship alongside modern engineering and conservation techniques.Restoring the roof and rebuilding the spire were among the most visible parts of the project. As reported by Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris, the spire, originally designed by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc during the 19th century, had become a defining feature of the Paris skyline. Its reconstruction followed the historic design, returning a familiar silhouette to the cathedral.Inside, teams worked on the stonework, vaults, decorative elements and other features affected by the fire, smoke and the subsequent emergency operations. Cleaning and conservation were also necessary to bring the interior back into use.As reported by the BBC, French President Emmanuel Macron had expressed, “We’ll rebuild Notre-Dame even more beautifully and I want it to be completed in five years, we can do it.” The cathedral ultimately reopened in December 2024, just over five years and seven months after the fire.
Notre-Dame welcomed visitors again in December 2024
Reportedly, the reopening ceremonies took place on 7 and 8 December 2024, bringing together political leaders, religious figures, public officials and invited guests. Hayek and Pinault attended the ceremony on 7 December, when the restored cathedral became the focus of international attention once again.More than 1,500 guests were reported to have attended the event, including world leaders and other prominent figures. The gathering marked a significant moment for Paris, where Notre-Dame has long served as a place of worship and a destination for visitors interested in French history and architecture.The reopening also allowed people to see the results of years of painstaking restoration. The cathedral’s interior had been cleaned and repaired, while the rebuilt roof and spire restored much of its familiar appearance. The work aimed to preserve the character of the historic building while making it possible to continue using it safely.
A historic landmark restored for future generations
Reportedly, Notre-Dame’s origins date to the 12th century, when construction began under Bishop Maurice de Sully. Building work started around 1163, and the cathedral developed over the following centuries, with major additions and changes shaping the structure seen today. Its long history includes periods of religious and political upheaval, restoration and changing uses.The building is associated with major events in French history and has inspired generations of artists and writers. Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame helped bring renewed public attention to the cathedral during the 19th century, when its condition had deteriorated and restoration was becoming a pressing concern.