Notre Dame Cathedral hosts first mass since devastating fire exactly two months ago

Notre Dame Cathedral has held its first Mass exactly two months after it was ravaged by a huge blaze.

Archbishop Michel Aupetit donned a hard-hat for the service in the cathedral, which lost its roof and spire to the inferno.

The service, which was attended by 30 priests, canons and church employees, took place in a chapel behind the choir, a place confirmed by construction experts as safe.

Some of the workers rebuilding the church were also invited.

French Culture Minister Franck Riester said this week the cathedral remains in a "fragile" state, especially its vaulted ceiling, which is still at risk of collapsing.

Other worshippers could watch the Mass live on a Catholic TV station. The video showed some burnt wood still in the church but a famous statue of the Virgin and Child appeared intact behind wooden construction planks.

The annual Dedication Mass commemorated the cathedral's consecration as a place of worship.

The archbishop said: “This cathedral is a place of worship, it is its very own and unique purpose.”

One French priest called the service "a true happiness, full of hope."

Father Pierre Vivares added: "We will rebuild this cathedral. It will take time of course - a lot of money, lot of time, lot of work - but we will succeed.

"Today it's a small but a true victory against the disaster we have had."

It is still unclear when the cathedral will reopen to the public.

French President Emmanuel Macron has set a goal of rebuilding it in just five years, which many experts consider unrealistic.

He is determined to have it ready in time for the 2024 Olympics, which will be held in the French capital.

Investigators believe the fire was an accident, possibly linked to overdue renovation work.

One billion euros was raised to fund the restoration, smashing through the milestone just two days after the fire.

Cosmetics multinational L’Oréal and LVMH luxury goods group boss Bernard Arnault both donated €200 million, while billionaire François-Henri Pinault and oil company Total pledged €100 million each.