Tall metal barriers surrounding the square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral were removed on May 31, offering visitors a close-up look at the Paris landmark for the first time since a huge fire badly damaged it in April last year. /CFP

The cathedral building remains closed as repairs are still underway. /Xinhua

Despite construction delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, France has vowed to restore Notre-Dame to its former glory by 2024. /Xinhua