Cathedral bells ring out across France in poignant tribute to ravaged Notre Dame
- Cathedrals bells rang out across France in honour of Notre Dame on Wednesday
- It follows churches and cathedrals in the UK and Canada ringing bells in support
- At Saint Sulpice church, in Paris, Brigitte Macron attended a special service
Cathedral bells rang out across France in honour of the Notre Dame on Wednesday evening.
From Sacre Coeur in Paris' Montmartre district to Rouen in the west, and Marseille's Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica in the south - the architectural treasures of France solemnly marked the inferno two days after it ravaged the Notre Dame.
In a poignant tribute the bells, at more than 100 churches French cathedrals, tolled at 6.53pm (5.43pm GMT) - the moment the fire broke out on Monday.
In a poignant tribute the bells, at more than 100 churches French Cathedrals, tolled at 6.53pm (5.43pm GMT), the moment the fire broke out. Pictured: Marseille's Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica
Earlier in the day, the Conference of French Bishops said on Twitter that all cathedral bells nationwide would ring in 'solidarity with the diocese of Paris'.
On Tuesday, cathedrals in the UK and Canada also rang their bells in support.
Prime Minister Theresa May, a practicing Christian, said that the images of the Catholic masterpiece on fire were 'truly heart-rending'.
As well as the bell-ringing on Tuesday evening, bells will ring out across England on Thursday in solidarity with a building which is 'a symbol of France and the French people, and cherished across the globe'.
Mrs May said: 'President (Emmanuel) Macron has pledged to rebuild the cathedral and I have conveyed to him that the UK will support this endeavour however we can.
'As we saw last night in the swift and heroic action of the first responders, France has huge professionalism in dealing with emergencies of this kind. I pay tribute to the firefighters and all those involved.
'When it comes to the task of rebuilding, French craftsmen and women are among the finest in the world.
'As they prepare to embark on this daunting task, we stand ready to offer any UK experience and expertise that could be helpful in the work that lies ahead to restore this magnificent cathedral.'
At Saint Sulpice church, the second largest house of worship in Paris, French first lady Brigitte Macron attended a special service, the yearly blessing of the oils during Holy Week ahead of Easter Sunday.
After the service she said: 'Everything bled, everything bled, there were four stages, first the stage of shock when we learned what was happening, then when we arrived on location and it was fear and anxiety that everything would crumble, around 11 p.m, hope, because at 11 p.m the towers were there, and then enormous gratitude towards all the firemen and all the men that battled the fire, for their courage and perseverance. It was an absolutely incredible moment. Thank you.'
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