Fire at Notre Dame Cathedral: International outpouring of grief

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame is among the most famous landmarks in Paris, drawing about 13 million visitors a year. Photo / Twitter @ccadence_jamess, Getty

Forget nationality or religion, everyone on Earth has reason to grieve today. To the French; "Je vous adresse mes sincères condoléances." The Notre Dame, an 856-year-old treasure, is burning down.

this tragedy goes beyond religion, beyond nationality. it doesn’t matter what you believe in or how you were raised or where you were born. we all should mourn this loss. Notre Dame, i’ve never met you, but i hope we’re able to rebuild you so i and so many others finally can. pic.twitter.com/H3i4kAi6kI

— cadence (@CadenceOrange) April 15, 2019

The Notre-Dame is the symbol of France; the Eiffel Tower is little more than a century old and cannot challenge this building for pride of place in the hearts of the French.

Notre-Dame has stood tall above Paris since the 1200s, housing many works of medieval mastery.

When I was a student in Paris I used to go look at Notre Dame and imagine the generations who worked on it without seeing it complete. A heartbreaking day for Paris and all it represents.

— Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) April 15, 2019

Many of those looking on as flames are crying, singing. France is not terribly religious, but this goes beyond that.

Ave Maria pic.twitter.com/lb6Y5XV05a

— Ignacio Gil (@Inaki_Gil) April 15, 2019

Last year, the Catholic Church in France successfully appealed for funds to save the 850-year-old Gothic building, which was crumbling. Notre Dame was undergoing a $6.8 million renovation when the devastating fire broke out

This is spire that toppled in the fire. Created during extensive 19th century renovation of Notre Dame. What a loss. pic.twitter.com/ziziE7AYVb

— Andrew Neil (@afneil) April 15, 2019

Churches around France are ringing their bells in solidarity with Notre-Dame.

Les cloches de Saint-Germain sonnent pour #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/sqmjGCZtri

— Gautier Boband (@g_boband) April 15, 2019

À Paris, l’église Notre-Dame-de-Lorette sonne le glas. #notredameparis #notredame pic.twitter.com/84lc0rAPeS

— Silvère Boucher-Lambert (@silverebl) April 15, 2019

Historian Camille Pascal told French broadcaster BFMTV the fire was destroying "invaluable heritage."

"For 800 years the Cathedral has watched over Paris", he said.

"Happy and unfortunate events for centuries have been marked by the bells of Notre Dame.

"We can be only horrified by what we see".

One of the windows of Notre Dame Cathedral #NotreDame 💔 pic.twitter.com/B8xlGLiHMd

— Nutmouse (@nutmouse) April 15, 2019

My parents are in Paris at the moment and took this photo of Notre Dame only hours before the catastrophic fire took hold. One of the last photos of this wonderful and historic building. Incredibly sad. #notredame pic.twitter.com/3CoGN9cMYJ

— Steve Duffy (@MrSteveDuffy) April 15, 2019

Still can’t believe this happened. I was just at Palm Sunday mass at Notre Dame yesterday. It was my favorite place in Paris❤️ #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/sgVyNNsLrh

— Faith Aloisa (@AloisaFaith) April 15, 2019

Built in 1163. Took 200 years to complete.
It survived revolutions, plagues and world wars.
And now, the evening of April 15th 2019, the Notre Dame in Paris burns.
All history gone.

The world stands helpless as history disappears before our eyes. 💔

Im so sorry #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/aHYu5fOJqo

— 사라 (@_filledetoile_) April 15, 2019