Lecture Series: Notre-Dame – After the Fire: La Restauration de Notre-Dame de Paris

In partnership with the Alliance Française Miami Metro, the Alliance Française de Chicago, and the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris, the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA presents this second installment of its lecture series, Notre-Dame de Paris—Before and After the Fire.

This lecture will provide a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most significant architectural restoration projects of our time, describing the painstaking process behind the meticulous rebuilding and restoration of the cathedral, from the careful documentation of architectural elements to the revival of centuries-old craftsmanship techniques. 

Thanks to global donations and the work of dedicated craftsmen, the extensive fire damage was repaired in record time, and the rebuilt cathedral reopened almost exactly one year ago, ready to reclaim its place as a symbol of Paris and French heritage.

 But wait: there is still more work to be done. The lecture will conclude with the restoration of works unrelated to the damage caused by the 2019 fire that will continue for the next five years.

 This talk will be conducted in French. When you join the Zoom event, you can choose translated captions in either English or French. Click here for instructions on how to enable this feature.

About the Speaker

Philippe Villeneuve

Philippe Villeneuve is the Chief Architect of Historic Monuments in France and was the lead architect overseeing the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris after the 2019 fire.

About the Moderator

Michel Picaud, Founder and President of the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris. Since the catastrophic fire of April 15, 2019, the mission of The Friends of Notre-Dame has been to help fund the reconstruction and restoration of what has been called “the beating heart of Paris.”