European Parliament President Antonio Tajani and European Council President Donald Tusk both expressed their solidarity with France, from Strasbourg on Tuesday, in the wake of the devastating fire that struck Notre Dame cathedral on Monday.

Tajani suggested that MEPs donate what they earnt on Tuesday for the cathedral's reconstruction. He also thanked "all the French firefighters who yesterday fought against the blaze which was about to destroy the cathedral."

Tusk called on France's fellow EU member states to help reconstruction efforts.

"I call on all the 28 member states to take part in this task. I know that France could do it alone but at stake here is something more than just material help."

"The burning of the Notre Dame cathedral has again made us aware that we are bound by something more important and more profound than treaties," he added.

The 850 year-old Catholic cathedral was badly damaged by a fire that started on Monday afternoon, with much of the building's roof being destroyed as well as its iconic spire.