Rewrite the provided article: 
PARIS (AP) — Notre Dame Cathedral, a jewel of Gothic architecture, a symbol of Paris and a tourist attraction, will reopen to the public Sunday after five years of restoration after a devastating fire.
But the cathedral, which took 182 years to build between the 12th and 14th centuries, has some surprising stories behind its grandeur. From medieval myths to modern mysteries, here are five special things to know about this Paris landmark:
The heart of France, truly worthy of its name
The importance of Notre Dame goes beyond its architecture and history – it is literally the starting point for all roads in France.
Inlaid in the cobblestones in front of the cathedral is a simple bronze stone plaque with the inscription “Zero Point de France”, meaning “the starting point of the French road”. This plaque marks the starting point for measuring distances between Paris and other cities in the country.
Although the plaque was installed in 1924, the idea for National Zero dates back to 1769. hearts connected.
The Great Myth of the Gargoyles
The terrifying stone creatures of Notre Dame may look ancient, but not all is what they seem. The real gargoyle, a monster-shaped canal used to drain rainwater, has existed since the cathedral was built. But the dramatic, terrifying characters often depicted in postcards and movies were just fantasies, and they were new.
In the 19th century, architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who was responsible for renovating the then dilapidated building, added the creatures to add to the cathedral’s mystique. Violet-le-Duc was inspired by Victor Hugo’s masterpiece “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to create these demonic animal figures with anthropomorphic expressions.
How to distinguish them? The gargoyles resemble horizontal spikes protruding from the facade, with channels pierced with holes to allow water to drain away.
During the French Revolution, amid waves of protests against the church, Notre Dame was not considered a revered cathedral. In 1793, revolutionaries stripped it of its religious symbols and renamed it “Notre-Dame de la Raison” (Our Lady of Reason).
Instead, the cathedral hosted festivals celebrating science and Enlightenment ideas, and for a short time, it was even used as a wine warehouse.
Religious rites were restored in 1795, and Notre-Dame was restored to its sacred status at the initiative of the French Emperor Napoleon I, who celebrated his coronation here in 1804, as depicted in a famous painting by Jacques-Louis David Immortal.
The Beheaded King Returns After Centuries
In 1792, revolutionaries also chopped down 28 statues from the facade of Notre Dame, mistaking them for French monarchs. They were actually the ancient kings of Judah, the ancestors of Jesus in the Bible. The heads are believed to have been lost forever, possibly destroyed or sold as building materials.
But in 1977, workers restoring a courtyard in Paris’ 9th arrondissement discovered hundreds of fragments of stone sculptures. Experts confirmed they were the heads of the missing Notre Dame king. How they ended up buried there remains a mystery.
Today, 22 heads have been restored and are on display at the Cloni Museum in Paris. Its discovery is considered one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in the city’s modern history.
A strong warning about lead dust
The 2019 fire that nearly destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris exposed serious health risks. As the flames melted the roofs, large amounts of toxic lead dust were released into the air and deposited throughout Paris.
question? Officials found there were no standards for measuring the dangers of lead dust outdoors. This isn’t just a problem in Paris – big cities like London and Rome, and not even the World Health Organization, have guidelines for outdoor lead contamination.
The Notre Dame fire highlighted a hidden problem and forced officials to take a closer look at their safety standards. Although tourists, residents and traders walk the streets around the cathedral every day, it took the city four months to complete a deep sidewalk cleaning.
___
This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
into a high-quality, completely original piece for my website.
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Be entirely reimagined and rewritten, with no sentences or phrasing resembling
PARIS (AP) — Notre Dame Cathedral, a jewel of Gothic architecture, a symbol of Paris and a tourist attraction, will reopen to the public Sunday after five years of restoration after a devastating fire.
But the cathedral, which took 182 years to build between the 12th and 14th centuries, has some surprising stories behind its grandeur. From medieval myths to modern mysteries, here are five special things to know about this Paris landmark:
The heart of France, truly worthy of its name
The importance of Notre Dame goes beyond its architecture and history – it is literally the starting point for all roads in France.
Inlaid in the cobblestones in front of the cathedral is a simple bronze stone plaque with the inscription “Zero Point de France”, meaning “the starting point of the French road”. This plaque marks the starting point for measuring distances between Paris and other cities in the country.
Although the plaque was installed in 1924, the idea for National Zero dates back to 1769. hearts connected.
The Great Myth of the Gargoyles
The terrifying stone creatures of Notre Dame may look ancient, but not all is what they seem. The real gargoyle, a monster-shaped canal used to drain rainwater, has existed since the cathedral was built. But the dramatic, terrifying characters often depicted in postcards and movies were just fantasies, and they were new.
In the 19th century, architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who was responsible for renovating the then dilapidated building, added the creatures to add to the cathedral’s mystique. Violet-le-Duc was inspired by Victor Hugo’s masterpiece “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to create these demonic animal figures with anthropomorphic expressions.
How to distinguish them? The gargoyles resemble horizontal spikes protruding from the facade, with channels pierced with holes to allow water to drain away.
During the French Revolution, amid waves of protests against the church, Notre Dame was not considered a revered cathedral. In 1793, revolutionaries stripped it of its religious symbols and renamed it “Notre-Dame de la Raison” (Our Lady of Reason).
Instead, the cathedral hosted festivals celebrating science and Enlightenment ideas, and for a short time, it was even used as a wine warehouse.
Religious rites were restored in 1795, and Notre-Dame was restored to its sacred status at the initiative of the French Emperor Napoleon I, who celebrated his coronation here in 1804, as depicted in a famous painting by Jacques-Louis David Immortal.
The Beheaded King Returns After Centuries
In 1792, revolutionaries also chopped down 28 statues from the facade of Notre Dame, mistaking them for French monarchs. They were actually the ancient kings of Judah, the ancestors of Jesus in the Bible. The heads are believed to have been lost forever, possibly destroyed or sold as building materials.
But in 1977, workers restoring a courtyard in Paris’ 9th arrondissement discovered hundreds of fragments of stone sculptures. Experts confirmed they were the heads of the missing Notre Dame king. How they ended up buried there remains a mystery.
Today, 22 heads have been restored and are on display at the Cloni Museum in Paris. Its discovery is considered one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in the city’s modern history.
A strong warning about lead dust
The 2019 fire that nearly destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris exposed serious health risks. As the flames melted the roofs, large amounts of toxic lead dust were released into the air and deposited throughout Paris.
question? Officials found there were no standards for measuring the dangers of lead dust outdoors. This isn’t just a problem in Paris – big cities like London and Rome, and not even the World Health Organization, have guidelines for outdoor lead contamination.
The Notre Dame fire highlighted a hidden problem and forced officials to take a closer look at their safety standards. Although tourists, residents and traders walk the streets around the cathedral every day, it took the city four months to complete a deep sidewalk cleaning.
___
This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
, while maintaining the same key facts, dates, and quotes. The new text should feel completely fresh, naturally flowing, and as if written from scratch by a professional human news editor.
Retain all people’s declarations in quotation marks (” “) exactly as they appear in
PARIS (AP) — Notre Dame Cathedral, a jewel of Gothic architecture, a symbol of Paris and a tourist attraction, will reopen to the public Sunday after five years of restoration after a devastating fire.
But the cathedral, which took 182 years to build between the 12th and 14th centuries, has some surprising stories behind its grandeur. From medieval myths to modern mysteries, here are five special things to know about this Paris landmark:
The heart of France, truly worthy of its name
The importance of Notre Dame goes beyond its architecture and history – it is literally the starting point for all roads in France.
Inlaid in the cobblestones in front of the cathedral is a simple bronze stone plaque with the inscription “Zero Point de France”, meaning “the starting point of the French road”. This plaque marks the starting point for measuring distances between Paris and other cities in the country.
Although the plaque was installed in 1924, the idea for National Zero dates back to 1769. hearts connected.
The Great Myth of the Gargoyles
The terrifying stone creatures of Notre Dame may look ancient, but not all is what they seem. The real gargoyle, a monster-shaped canal used to drain rainwater, has existed since the cathedral was built. But the dramatic, terrifying characters often depicted in postcards and movies were just fantasies, and they were new.
In the 19th century, architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who was responsible for renovating the then dilapidated building, added the creatures to add to the cathedral’s mystique. Violet-le-Duc was inspired by Victor Hugo’s masterpiece “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to create these demonic animal figures with anthropomorphic expressions.
How to distinguish them? The gargoyles resemble horizontal spikes protruding from the facade, with channels pierced with holes to allow water to drain away.
During the French Revolution, amid waves of protests against the church, Notre Dame was not considered a revered cathedral. In 1793, revolutionaries stripped it of its religious symbols and renamed it “Notre-Dame de la Raison” (Our Lady of Reason).
Instead, the cathedral hosted festivals celebrating science and Enlightenment ideas, and for a short time, it was even used as a wine warehouse.
Religious rites were restored in 1795, and Notre-Dame was restored to its sacred status at the initiative of the French Emperor Napoleon I, who celebrated his coronation here in 1804, as depicted in a famous painting by Jacques-Louis David Immortal.
The Beheaded King Returns After Centuries
In 1792, revolutionaries also chopped down 28 statues from the facade of Notre Dame, mistaking them for French monarchs. They were actually the ancient kings of Judah, the ancestors of Jesus in the Bible. The heads are believed to have been lost forever, possibly destroyed or sold as building materials.
But in 1977, workers restoring a courtyard in Paris’ 9th arrondissement discovered hundreds of fragments of stone sculptures. Experts confirmed they were the heads of the missing Notre Dame king. How they ended up buried there remains a mystery.
Today, 22 heads have been restored and are on display at the Cloni Museum in Paris. Its discovery is considered one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in the city’s modern history.
A strong warning about lead dust
The 2019 fire that nearly destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris exposed serious health risks. As the flames melted the roofs, large amounts of toxic lead dust were released into the air and deposited throughout Paris.
question? Officials found there were no standards for measuring the dangers of lead dust outdoors. This isn’t just a problem in Paris – big cities like London and Rome, and not even the World Health Organization, have guidelines for outdoor lead contamination.
The Notre Dame fire highlighted a hidden problem and forced officials to take a closer look at their safety standards. Although tourists, residents and traders walk the streets around the cathedral every day, it took the city four months to complete a deep sidewalk cleaning.
___
This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
, incorporating them naturally into the rewritten text.
Preserve all original HTML tags from
PARIS (AP) — Notre Dame Cathedral, a jewel of Gothic architecture, a symbol of Paris and a tourist attraction, will reopen to the public Sunday after five years of restoration after a devastating fire.
But the cathedral, which took 182 years to build between the 12th and 14th centuries, has some surprising stories behind its grandeur. From medieval myths to modern mysteries, here are five special things to know about this Paris landmark:
The heart of France, truly worthy of its name
The importance of Notre Dame goes beyond its architecture and history – it is literally the starting point for all roads in France.
Inlaid in the cobblestones in front of the cathedral is a simple bronze stone plaque with the inscription “Zero Point de France”, meaning “the starting point of the French road”. This plaque marks the starting point for measuring distances between Paris and other cities in the country.
Although the plaque was installed in 1924, the idea for National Zero dates back to 1769. hearts connected.
The Great Myth of the Gargoyles
The terrifying stone creatures of Notre Dame may look ancient, but not all is what they seem. The real gargoyle, a monster-shaped canal used to drain rainwater, has existed since the cathedral was built. But the dramatic, terrifying characters often depicted in postcards and movies were just fantasies, and they were new.
In the 19th century, architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who was responsible for renovating the then dilapidated building, added the creatures to add to the cathedral’s mystique. Violet-le-Duc was inspired by Victor Hugo’s masterpiece “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to create these demonic animal figures with anthropomorphic expressions.
How to distinguish them? The gargoyles resemble horizontal spikes protruding from the facade, with channels pierced with holes to allow water to drain away.
During the French Revolution, amid waves of protests against the church, Notre Dame was not considered a revered cathedral. In 1793, revolutionaries stripped it of its religious symbols and renamed it “Notre-Dame de la Raison” (Our Lady of Reason).
Instead, the cathedral hosted festivals celebrating science and Enlightenment ideas, and for a short time, it was even used as a wine warehouse.
Religious rites were restored in 1795, and Notre-Dame was restored to its sacred status at the initiative of the French Emperor Napoleon I, who celebrated his coronation here in 1804, as depicted in a famous painting by Jacques-Louis David Immortal.
The Beheaded King Returns After Centuries
In 1792, revolutionaries also chopped down 28 statues from the facade of Notre Dame, mistaking them for French monarchs. They were actually the ancient kings of Judah, the ancestors of Jesus in the Bible. The heads are believed to have been lost forever, possibly destroyed or sold as building materials.
But in 1977, workers restoring a courtyard in Paris’ 9th arrondissement discovered hundreds of fragments of stone sculptures. Experts confirmed they were the heads of the missing Notre Dame king. How they ended up buried there remains a mystery.
Today, 22 heads have been restored and are on display at the Cloni Museum in Paris. Its discovery is considered one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in the city’s modern history.
A strong warning about lead dust
The 2019 fire that nearly destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris exposed serious health risks. As the flames melted the roofs, large amounts of toxic lead dust were released into the air and deposited throughout Paris.
question? Officials found there were no standards for measuring the dangers of lead dust outdoors. This isn’t just a problem in Paris – big cities like London and Rome, and not even the World Health Organization, have guidelines for outdoor lead contamination.
The Notre Dame fire highlighted a hidden problem and forced officials to take a closer look at their safety standards. Although tourists, residents and traders walk the streets around the cathedral every day, it took the city four months to complete a deep sidewalk cleaning.
___
This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
, including those for images, photos, videos, embeds (e.g., Instagram, X/Twitter), and other multimedia elements, and ensure they are correctly positioned in the rewritten article.
Write with a human-like tone and style, avoiding repetitive phrasing, robotic patterns, or overly formal language. Use creative yet professional language, focusing on engaging and authentic storytelling.
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PARIS (AP) — Notre Dame Cathedral, a jewel of Gothic architecture, a symbol of Paris and a tourist attraction, will reopen to the public Sunday after five years of restoration after a devastating fire.
But the cathedral, which took 182 years to build between the 12th and 14th centuries, has some surprising stories behind its grandeur. From medieval myths to modern mysteries, here are five special things to know about this Paris landmark:
The heart of France, truly worthy of its name
The importance of Notre Dame goes beyond its architecture and history – it is literally the starting point for all roads in France.
Inlaid in the cobblestones in front of the cathedral is a simple bronze stone plaque with the inscription “Zero Point de France”, meaning “the starting point of the French road”. This plaque marks the starting point for measuring distances between Paris and other cities in the country.
Although the plaque was installed in 1924, the idea for National Zero dates back to 1769. hearts connected.
The Great Myth of the Gargoyles
The terrifying stone creatures of Notre Dame may look ancient, but not all is what they seem. The real gargoyle, a monster-shaped canal used to drain rainwater, has existed since the cathedral was built. But the dramatic, terrifying characters often depicted in postcards and movies were just fantasies, and they were new.
In the 19th century, architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who was responsible for renovating the then dilapidated building, added the creatures to add to the cathedral’s mystique. Violet-le-Duc was inspired by Victor Hugo’s masterpiece “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to create these demonic animal figures with anthropomorphic expressions.
How to distinguish them? The gargoyles resemble horizontal spikes protruding from the facade, with channels pierced with holes to allow water to drain away.
During the French Revolution, amid waves of protests against the church, Notre Dame was not considered a revered cathedral. In 1793, revolutionaries stripped it of its religious symbols and renamed it “Notre-Dame de la Raison” (Our Lady of Reason).
Instead, the cathedral hosted festivals celebrating science and Enlightenment ideas, and for a short time, it was even used as a wine warehouse.
Religious rites were restored in 1795, and Notre-Dame was restored to its sacred status at the initiative of the French Emperor Napoleon I, who celebrated his coronation here in 1804, as depicted in a famous painting by Jacques-Louis David Immortal.
The Beheaded King Returns After Centuries
In 1792, revolutionaries also chopped down 28 statues from the facade of Notre Dame, mistaking them for French monarchs. They were actually the ancient kings of Judah, the ancestors of Jesus in the Bible. The heads are believed to have been lost forever, possibly destroyed or sold as building materials.
But in 1977, workers restoring a courtyard in Paris’ 9th arrondissement discovered hundreds of fragments of stone sculptures. Experts confirmed they were the heads of the missing Notre Dame king. How they ended up buried there remains a mystery.
Today, 22 heads have been restored and are on display at the Cloni Museum in Paris. Its discovery is considered one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in the city’s modern history.
A strong warning about lead dust
The 2019 fire that nearly destroyed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris exposed serious health risks. As the flames melted the roofs, large amounts of toxic lead dust were released into the air and deposited throughout Paris.
question? Officials found there were no standards for measuring the dangers of lead dust outdoors. This isn’t just a problem in Paris – big cities like London and Rome, and not even the World Health Organization, have guidelines for outdoor lead contamination.
The Notre Dame fire highlighted a hidden problem and forced officials to take a closer look at their safety standards. Although tourists, residents and traders walk the streets around the cathedral every day, it took the city four months to complete a deep sidewalk cleaning.
___
This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
remain.
Be between 800–1,200 words long, with clear subheadings for readability.
Provide only the final rewritten article text with all original HTML tags properly retained and integrated. Ensure the content reads naturally, as if written by a skilled human journalist, with no robotic tone or AI-like repetition. Do not include any notes, explanations, or commentary.
What was Notre Dame’s role during the French Revolution?
## Hidden History Unfolds at Notre Dame Cathedral
Prepare to be amazed by more than just architectural brilliance! As Notre Dame Cathedral reopens its doors to the public following meticulous restoration, it unveils a treasure trove of captivating stories beyond its legendary facade.
**The Heart of France, Literally**
Notre Dame isn’t just an icon; it’s the very epicenter of France’s road network. A bronze plaque embedded in the cobblestones in front of the cathedral, inscribed “Zero Point de France,” marks the starting point for measuring distances across the nation. This concept, conceived in 1769, was finally materialized in 1924, making Notre Dame the -literal- heart of French geography.
**Mystifying Myth of the Gargoyles**
Those intimidating stone creatures perched atop Notre Dame? Looks can be deceiving! While real gargoyles, designed as water spouts, have graced the cathedral since its construction, the menacing, fantastical figures popularized in art and postcards are a more recent addition.
In the 19th century, architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, tasked with revitalizing the aging cathedral, drew inspiration from Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to imbue the structure with an air of mystery. He crafted these demonic animal figures with human-like expressions, forever altering the cathedral’s gothic silhouette.
**A Revolutionary Transformation**
Surprisingly, during the French Revolution, Notre Dame briefly shed its sacred status. Revolutions stripped the cathedral of its religious symbols in 1793 and renamed it “Notre-Dame de la Raison” (Our Lady of Reason). The building was repurposed as a space for festivals celebrating Enlightenment ideals and even served as a temporary wine warehouse!
Religious practices were reinstated in 1795. Emperor Napoleon I played a key role in restoring Notre Dame’s sanctity, even choosing it as the setting for his coronation in 1804 – an event immortalized in Jacques-Louis David’s famous painting.
**The Lost Kings Return**
In 1792, revolutionaries, mistaking them for French monarchs, toppled 28 statues adorning Notre Dame’s facade. These were in fact ancient kings of Judah, biblical ancestors of Jesus.
Their heads believed to be lost forever, likely destroyed or sold, were discovered in 1977, buried beneath a courtyard in Paris’ 9th arrondissement. Today, 22 restored heads are on display at the Cloni Museum, a testament to one of the city’s most remarkable archaeological finds.
**A Stark Warning Hidden Within Beauty**
The 2019 fire that nearly consumed Notre Dame released a hidden danger: toxic lead dust. This tragedy exposed a lack of international standards for measuring outdoor lead contamination.
The incident highlighted a global concern and forced authorities to review safety protocols. While tourists and Parisians walked past the cathedral daily, it took four months for thorough street cleaning to remove this invisible hazard.
