Thu, Dec 04
|Zoom
Notre-Dame de Paris - Before the Fire: The Construction and History of Notre-Dame de Paris (in English)
with Russell Kelley, author of The Making of Paris In partnership with the Alliance Française Miami Metro, the Alliance Française de Chicago, and the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris
Time & Location
Dec 04, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PST
Zoom
About the event
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.
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 the future 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.