Before and after pictures show the devastation of Paris’ Notre-Dame that has come as a huge blow to France and the rest of Europe.

A massive fire on Monday ravaged the roof, spire and more of the interior of the 12th-century building, sending plumes of smoke into the sky.

Here are some images of the destruction caused by the blaze as France mourns one of its greatest and most popular landmarks. Scroll from left-to-right to see the before and after photos.

The cross remains intact but the ground around it is scorched

The altar was saved from destruction. The spire, which came crashing down in the fire, was situated above the altar. The surrounding statues were also saved.

The concrete structure does its job

The concrete structure that supported the wooden beams remains in place, however the damage from above can be seen on the floor of the cathedral, crushing the stalls.

Smoke billows from cathedral roof after fire breaks out

Plumes of smoke rose from the spire and roof of the gothic cathedral, visited by millions of people per year, after a fire broke out. A before picture shows the attraction before renovation work began.

Aerial view shows building engulfed in flames

An image taken from a television screen shows what the blaze looked like from above. A spokesman for the cathedral said the wooden structure supporting the roof was being gutted by the blaze.

Some precious items including the crucifix and altar survive the blaze

Smoke is seen around the altar inside the medieval building hours after the blaze broke out. The cross and altar miraculously survived the inferno, which are now regarded as a beacon of hope.

Paris officials said the world famous 18th century organ that features 8,000 pipes appeared to have survived, along with other treasures inside the cathedral.

The cathedral’s 850-year-old twin towers are intact

Arguably the cathedral’s most spectacular features, the 850-year-old twin towers, also survived the ferocious fire.

They were the highest structures in Paris before the Eiffel Tower and are recognisable across the world.

A view from the Seine river as the fire rages through the cathedral

France and the rest of the world watched helplessly as the blaze ravaged the iconic landmark, with bystanders taking pictures and video footage from across the river.

At the peak of the blaze, a Notre-Dame spokesman said: “Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame.”

The blaze causes significant damage to the roof and interior

Flames and smoke are seen as the interior continued to burn through the roof of the cathedral.

A before picture shows the stone ceiling ahead of the recent renovation work.

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