(Photo: AP)

The bells of France have tolled, ringing out from the nation’s cathedrals and basilicas in commemoration of the Notre Dame fire.

From Sacre Coeur in Paris’ Montmartre district to Strasbourg in the east and Rouen in the west, the architectural treasures of France solemnly marked the inferno Wednesday evening, two days after it ravaged Notre Dame of Paris.

The Gothic cathedral is widely regarded as the soul of France.

At Saint Sulpice church, the second largest house of worship in Paris, French first lady Brigitte Macron attended a special service, the yearly blessing of the oils during Holy Week ahead of Easter Sunday.

President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to have Notre Dame rebuilt in five years.

The cultural heritage envoy for French President Emmanuel Macron says it is realistic to reopen Notre Dame Cathedral to the public in five years.

Following a meeting at the presidential palace about the cathedral’s reconstruction, Stephane Bern said Macron’s goal is to allow visitors coming for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris to visit Notre Dame.

“No one around the table has protested saying this is unrealistic or utopian,” Bern said.

Bern was joined at the meeting by ministers, local elected officials, church representatives and top cultural heritage experts.

Bern said Macron didn’t express his views regarding the reconstruction of the roof and whether the frame should be in wood, metal or concrete.

These questions, Bern said, “will be answered later.”

Bern also said Macron told the meeting that the new spire will hinge on the results of an international architecture competition. Notre Dame’s spire collapsed soon after the cathedral caught fire Monday.