Part 3 of our Before and After series looks to the future of Notre-Dame’s surroundings. In 2022, the City of Paris chose Bas Smets and his team to redesign the public spaces around the cathedral. He will present plans for the forecourt, underground areas, the Jean XXIII garden, and the riverbanks—an ambitious project designed to create a cooler microclimate.

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.

This illustrated lecture will explore the long and eventful history of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, from its foundation in 1163 to the devastating fire on April 15, 2019, which destroyed its attic, roof, and iconic spire.

From Paris to Maine: Professor Claude Cernuschi traces how French art shaped Winslow Homer’s vision.

Reflect on solitude and freedom in a guided conversation that brings together Thoreau’s Walden and Tesson’s Consolations of the Forest; where literature, philosophy, and conversation meet.

Join author and Board Chair Steven Galante as he uncovers the surprising history of the French Library and its place in Boston’s cultural life.