Fact Check: Was Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral Set on Fire in 2025?

Viral TikTok and X posts claimed Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral was set on fire again in September 2025. The rumor spread quickly across social media. Many users believed the historic landmark was attacked.

This claim is false. Paris officials and international news outlets confirmed there is no new fire. The cathedral is safe and open to the public.

Notre-Dame Fire Claim Is False

A short video posted online showed masked men burning what looked like Notre-Dame’s spire. Another clip reused footage from the April 2019 blaze. Both were shared with hashtags like #NotreDameFire and #ParisAttack.

Experts quickly debunked the claims. The masked video first appeared in January 2024. It was linked to anonymous accounts and had no connection to any real group. France 24 journalist Wassim Nasr said the clip was staged. He noted the fake accents, fake logos, and fake props.

Researchers from Oxford also reviewed the video. They said no known militant group created it. It was designed to look threatening but was not authentic.

The fire clips that spread online were from April 2019. That was the real disaster that destroyed the cathedral’s roof and spire. The restoration lasted five years and cost $760 million. Notre-Dame reopened on December 8, 2024.

Why the Fake Notre-Dame Fire Video Went Viral

The Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the most visited sites in the world. Any rumor about it quickly draws global attention. That is why fake clips about the cathedral spread so fast.

TikTok and other platforms often recycle old or staged videos. When combined with trending hashtags, they create confusion. Experts warn people to always check reliable sources.

Trusted outlets like Reuters, AP, and BBC confirmed there was no new fire. Paris authorities also made no announcements of danger.

The Real Story of Notre-Dame

The only major fire at Notre-Dame happened in April 2019. Flames destroyed the roof and caused the spire to collapse. Millions around the world watched the event live.

After five years of work, the church reopened in December 2024. The project cost about $760 million. The reopening was seen as a triumph for France and the Catholic Church.

Fact check confirms Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral is safe. The viral fire claim is false. The only real fire happened in 2019.

Info at your fingertips-

Q1: Did Notre-Dame Cathedral catch fire in 2025?

No. Viral videos are fake. The cathedral is safe and open.

Q2: What was shown in the viral video?

It showed masked men burning a model of the cathedral. It was staged and not real.

Q3: When did the real Notre-Dame fire happen?

The real fire happened in April 2019. It destroyed the roof and spire.

Q4: When was Notre-Dame restored and reopened?

The cathedral reopened on December 8, 2024. The restoration took five years.

Q5: Why do fake Notre-Dame videos spread?

Notre-Dame is a world icon. Rumors about it spread fast on social media.