A medieval statue of the Virgin Mary and Child, known as the “Virgin of Paris,” has returned to Notre Dame cathedral, five years after surviving the devastating fire of 2019.

A procession of hundreds of people holding candles walked through the streets of Paris to bring a famed statue of the Virgin Mary and child back to Notre-Dame Cathedral on Friday, five years after it was moved to a nearby church after a devastating fire.

Hundreds in Paris marched with candles and hymns as the Virgin Mary statue returned to Notre-Dame Cathedral, ahead of its December 8 reopening. The cathedral's $580M restoration, funded by global donations,

Notre Dame welcomes back restored Virgin Mary statue The return of the Virgin Mary statue marks a significant milestone in the restoration of Notre Dame. Watch more on Independent TV: The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand,