Thursday, December 18, 2025 From 1:00 PM To 2:00 PM Add to Calendar 2025-12-18 13:00:00 2025-12-18 14:00:00 After the Fire: The Redesign of the Surroundings of Notre-Dame de Paris with Bas Smets 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. French Library, 53 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA America/New_York
At French Library
Bas Smets received master’s degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering from the University of Leuven and in Landscape from the University of Geneva. In 2007, he founded Bureau Bas Smets in Brussels, whose designs explore new ways to transform the city into an urban ecology, capable of producing cooling microclimates to counter climate change. In addition to his design work, Bas Smets has taught at various schools of architecture in Europe. In 2023, he was appointed Professor in Practice at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
Moderated by Russell Kelley is Vice President of the Alliance Française Miami Metro and the author of The Making of Paris (Lyons Press, 2021) and Walking Through the Ages of Paris (Lyons Press, to be published in 2026).
Upcoming Events
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.
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After the Fire: The Restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris with Philippe Villeneuve (in French)
(Online via Zoom)
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.
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We invite parents and children to gather in the children's room of our library for a magical story time in French!
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