A devastating fire which ravaged the Notre Dame cathedral and toppled its spire has left a surprising discovery in its wake.
Some 200,000 bees kept in in hives on the monument’s lead roof were found alive, after it was thought that they had perished.
Nicolas Geant, beekeeper at the monument, has looked after the bees since 2013, when they were installed as part of a city-wide initiative to boost declining bee numbers.
The hives are located on top of the sacristy by the cathedral’s south side, some 30m below the main roof, and were therefore untouched by the fire.
Geant told reporters: “I am so relieved. I saw satellite photos that showed the three hives didn’t burn. I thought they had gone with the cathedral.”
He said the carbon dioxide in the fire’s heavy smoke put the bees into a sedated state instead of killing them – adding that when bees sense fire they “gorge themselves on honey” and protect their queen.
He told CNN: “Thank goodness the flames didn’t touch them. It’s a miracle!”