Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris was unable to hold Christmas Eve Mass for the first time in more than 200 years after a fire ravaged its structure in April.
With heavy hearts, French Catholics instead gathered at the nearby church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, a few hundred metres away, for a service celebrated by the cathedral's rector Patrick Chauvet.
"It isn't the same feeling but it's still a Christmas Mass," said 16-year-old Juliette, who had made the 700 kilometre trip from Aix with her family. "There will be a thought for Notre-Dame tonight, that's for sure."
"We have been crying since April 15, and today even more," said Danielle, a Parisian, who attended last year's mass at the Paris landmark. However, she was lifted by the choir of Notre-Dame, who performed at the mass.
Meanwhile, workers continue to repair and rebuild the cherished cathedral.
Notre-Dame, part of a UNESCO world heritage site on the banks of the River Seine lost its gothic spire, roof and many precious artefacts in the fire, which was watched by huge crowds.
The building had remained open for Christmas through two centuries of often tumultuous history including the Nazi occupation in World War II being forced to close only during the anti-Catholic revolutionary period in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
President Emmanuel Macron has set a timetable of five years to completely repair the eight centuries old structure, which remains shrouded in scaffolding with a vast crane looming over it.
Paris prosecutors suspect criminal negligence and opened an investigation in June, suggesting a stray cigarette butt or an electrical fault could be the culprit.
The culture ministry said in October that nearly one billion euros ($1.1 billion) had been pledged or raised for the reconstruction.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
France Beat Portugal On Penalties To Set Up Euros Semi-final Against Spain Portugal vs France Highlights Euro 2024 Quarterfinal: France Beat Portugal On Penalties To Set Up Euro 2024 Semis Clash vs Spain Portugal vs France Live Streaming Euro 2024 Quarter Final Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch New UK PM Keir Starmer Changed Labour Party's Stance On Kashmir BSP Tamil Nadu Chief Hacked To Death By 6 Men On Bikes In Chennai PM Modi Congratulates Keir Starmer For Win, Has A Message For Rishi Sunak "Nobody's Fault But Mine": Biden Firefights Shaky Debate Performance Indian American Congressman Reaffirms Full Support For President Biden Delhi Court Directs Removal Of Post Alleging Centipede In Amul Ice Cream Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.