French President Emmanuel Macron praised the more than 1,000 craftsmen who helped restore Paris' Notre Cathedral Dame, reports "Reuters".
He called the restoration "the project of the century" - five and a half years after a fire burned the Gothic masterpiece.
The 12th century cathedral - one of the most beloved and visited monuments in the French capital, will reopen its doors to tourists and faithful Catholics next week.
"We have never seen a construction site like this before. You all had your contribution to the project of the century," Macron pointed out to the assembled carpenters, stonemasons, art restorers, firefighters and donors.
"The burning of Notre Dame was a national wound and you were the cure for it - rebuilding it through determination, hard work and commitment," the president emphasized.
The workers, among whom members of the elite "Compagnons du Devoir" - a centuries-old guild of artisans, whose masters are considered the best in France, burst into thunderous applause after the final "thank you" of Macron.
Reconstruction work restored the cathedral's spire, its ribbed vaulting, flying buttresses, stained glass windows and carved stone gargoyles to their former glory, and the white stone and gold decorations shone brighter than ever.
Evening of April 15, 2019. the roof and spire of the cathedral burst into flames and collapsed in a raging fire that also threatened the main bell towers, which narrowly escaped destruction.
On his visit to the site, Macron appeared deeply impressed as light poured into the ship through the refurbished windows.
"It is overwhelming," he said as he toured the cathedral with his wife Brigitte, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and other dignitaries.