Notre Dame firefighters to receive medal of honour as Paris pays tribute to its heroes

The firefighters and helpers that saved Notre Dame from destruction will receive a medal of honour, President Emmanuel Macron has announced.

At a special gathering in the presidential palace, Mr Macron told emergency services and cathedral staff they would receive the decoration for “courage and devotion” in recognition of their bravery.

The French president told his audience of more than 550 people, including 250 firefighters, police officers and members of the Red Cross, they had been “exemplary” in the eyes of “the whole world”.

“You’ve been the perfect example of what we should all be,” he announced on Thursday afternoon, three days after the blaze that ravaged the 850-year-old cathedral.

“Thanks to you, who took all possible risks, the worst has been avoided.”

The 12th Century landmark survived total devastation due to the bravery of more than 400 firefighters, who battled through the night to douse the flames. Restoration plans are already underway, supported by donations of an estimated €1bn and rising.

Further tributes will be paid to “all those who have contributed to saving the Notre Dame”, at a rally outside the capital’s Hôtel de Ville on Thursday evening.

Government officials, civil servants and members of the public will attend a ceremony at the seat of the Paris City Council, which will include speeches by Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Notre Dame rector Bishop Patrick Chauvet, and Paris fire chief Jean-Claude Gallet.

The event will kick off with a performance of Bach’s cello suite no.1, followed by a reading from Victor Hugo’s 19th Century masterpiece Notre-Dame de Paris.