Former President Barack Obama shared his sympathies with the people of France on Monday shortly after a fire engulfed Notre Dame, the iconic Parisian cathedral that has stood for more than 850 years. “Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief,” Obama wrote, sharing an image of his family during a visit to the cathedral early in his presidency. “It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost ― but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can.”

Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief. It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can. pic.twitter.com/SpMEvv1BzB — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 15, 2019

About 500 firefighters fought to quell the blaze on Monday, but it spread quickly, destroying Notre Dame’s spire and more than two-thirds of the roof, according to Paris’ fire chief. Much of the main structure was saved and “preserved,” however. “The worst has been avoided, even though the battle is not completely won,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday night. “This is the place where we have lived all of our great moments, the epicenter of our lives. It is the cathedral of all the French.” He said the cathedral would be rebuilt.

FABIEN BARRAU via Getty Images Smoke billows as flames burn through the roof of Notre Dame on Monday. (Photo by Fabien Barrau / AFP)

Former first lady Michelle Obama, who is in Paris this week for a book event for her memoir, posted her own message to Twitter later Monday. “The majesty of Notre Dame — the history, artistry, and spirituality — took our breath away, lifting us to a higher understanding of who we are and who we can be,” Michelle Obama wrote. “My heart aches with the people of France. Yet I know that Notre Dame will soon awe us again.”

The majesty of Notre Dame—the history, artistry, and spirituality—took our breath away, lifting us to a higher understanding of who we are and who we can be. Being here in Paris tonight, my heart aches with the people of France. Yet I know that Notre Dame will soon awe us again. https://t.co/p1mIDMbwe1 — Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) April 15, 2019