The French prime minister has announced an international competition for architects to rebuild the spire of Notre Dame Cathedral.
The announcement came as Notre Dame’s rector, bishop Patrick Chauvet, said he will close the burned-out Paris cathedral for up to six years.
Mr Philippe said the competition aims at “giving Notre Dame a spire adapted to techniques and challenges of our times”.
Mr Philippe said: “This is obviously a huge challenge, a historic responsibility.”
Bishop Chauvet acknowledged that the famed monument would close down for “five to six years” as he spoke with local business owners, two days after the blaze.
He added that it was unclear what the church’s 67 employees would be doing in the future.
