Notre-Dame de Paris - Before the Fire with Russell Kelley (in English)

Thursday, December 4, 2025 From 1:00 PM To 2:00 PM Add to Calendar 2025-12-04 13:00:00 2025-12-04 14:00:00 Notre-Dame de Paris - Before the Fire with Russell Kelley (in English) 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. French Library, 53 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA America/New_York

At French Library

This illustrated lecture will explore the long and dramatic 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. The talk will also cover the monumental restoration efforts that have been underway to prepare the cathedral for its grand reopening on December 8, 2024.

The story of Notre-Dame de Paris begins in 1163, when Bishop Sully laid the first stone on the Île de la Cité, at the heart of medieval Paris. One of the earliest Gothic cathedrals, it took 182 years to complete. Over the centuries, this architectural marvel hosted defining moments in French history, including the coronation of a young King Henry VI of England, the marriage of Henri IV and Marguerite de Valois, and the crowning of Napoléon I as Emperor.

After falling into neglect during the Revolution, Notre-Dame was restored by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who added the iconic spire that tragically burned in 2019. Thanks to global donations and the work of dedicated craftsmen, the extensive fire damage is being repaired, and the cathedral is set to reopen in December 2024, ready to reclaim its place as a symbol of Paris and French heritage.

This three-part series will be offered online via Zoom (in French and English).

Part 1. Notre-Dame de Paris - Before the Fire: The Construction and History of Notre-Dame de Paris

FREE

IN ENGLISH

Russell Kelley is Vice President of the Alliance Française Miami Metro where he has curated four series of Zoom lectures about the History and Heritage of France, including one about “The Great Churches of Paris”. He has lived in Paris for more than 30 years – and next to Notre-Dame for the past 20 years – and is the author of The Making of Paris: The Story of How Paris Evolved from a Fishing Village into the World’s Most Beautiful City (Lyons Press, 2021).

In partnership with the Alliance Française Miami Metro, the Alliance Française de Chicago, and the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris

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Online Offering

After the Fire: The Restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris with Philippe Villeneuve (in French)

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Thursday, December 11, 2025

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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After the Fire: The Redesign of the Surroundings of Notre-Dame de Paris with Bas Smets

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Thursday, December 18, 2025

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.

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