Investigators looking into the devastating blaze at Notre Dame Cathedral believe they have worked out what started the fire.

The move follows big donations from Louis Vuitton, Kering and L'Oreal, bringing the total to more than $735 million.

France will invite architects from around the world to submit their designs for rebuilding the Notre-Dame cathedral spire that toppled dramatically during a devastating blaze, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said Wednesday.

Investigators have made a stunning claim about the time it took staff at Notre Dame to find the fire that destroyed the iconic cathedral.

A Parisian chaplain has been hailed after pulling off an incredible rescue with a bold foray into the burning Notre Dame Cathedral.

French officials were assessing Tuesday the extent of damage caused to Notre-Dame the morning after a massive fire tore through the UNESCO world heritage cathedral as focus shifted to ensuring the structural integrity of the remaining building.

A TV host has been forced to abrubtly end an interview about the Notre Dame fire after the guest said something outrageous.

"Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame," said Notre Dame spokesman Andre Finot.

See the latest images of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris consumed by flames and smoke.

The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in the heart of Paris is ablaze as thousands of bystanders watch the 850-year-old landmark burn.

Fears are growing that one of the world’s most priceless relics — Jesus Christ’s Crown of Thorns — could be lost in the Notre Dame fire.

The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in the heart of Paris is ablaze as thousands of bystanders watch the 850-year-old landmark burn.

Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral has been engulfed in flames with the building’s iconic spire collapsing, as firefighters rushed to save the famed landmark.

Smoke billowed from the top of the cathedral as flames ripped through its roof and bell towers.

The blaze broke out in the cathedral on Monday afternoon, a Paris fire department confirmed, adding that a major operation to tackle the fire is underway.

Police have shot and injured a man who attacked officers with a hammer near Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, injuring one of them. The attacker was also armed with two knives, according to French media.