With its use of light, the church was the inspiration for Notre Dame. [Before and after: Iconic Notre Dame Cathedral scorched by blaze ]Notre Dame’s importance to the French — indeed, the world — cannot be overstated. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)For all these reasons, Notre Dame is France’s most-visited monument, welcoming more than 13 million people a year. It’s too early to know how long Notre Dame will be closed to the public. The Basilica of Saint-Denis was the model for Notre Dame Cathedral, and the burial ground for the French monarchy.

Source: Washington Post April 17, 2019 14:47 UTC