Museum Talk: Notre-Dame – Restoring a Masterpiece

On June 24, join Villa Albertine for a special evening honoring the many artisans, experts, and digital innovators behind the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the world’s most iconic monuments. 

The event will honor intangible heritage by featuring a craftsman from the Ateliers de France, Gabriel Chicaud, who played a key role in the reconstruction efforts, alongside Jennifer Feltman, a researcher from the team of historians and scientists authorized to study the cathedral during the restoration. Asia Laird from Histovery, a French company that created a virtual reality experience of Notre-Dame’s reconstruction, will additionally participate in the conversation to shed light on the extraordinary craftsmanship at the heart of the project. 

Following a first talk in 2024, this event highlights the wide range of expertise— from traditional craftsmanship to advanced technologies—mobilized to restore the Notre-Dame. Through firsthand accounts, it offers a unique insight into the challenges, techniques, and innovations behind the cathedral’s rebirth. 

RSVP here for this event and learn more about the panelists below! 

Panelists

Gabriel Chicaud is a heritage restoration specialist, who played a key role in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris. As a project manager at Atelier de la Boiserie, he oversaw the restoration of the cathedral’s historic woodwork, including the chapel furnishings damaged in the 2019 fire.  

Atelier de la Boiserie is a renowned French atelier founded in 1963, bringing together nearly 100 artisans. The workshop is known for its restoration work on landmark sites across France and internationally. Its contribution to Notre-Dame’s rebirth illustrates its deep commitment to preserving heritage through exceptional craftsmanship. 

Jennifer M. Feltman is Associate Professor of Medieval Art and Architecture at the University of Alabama. A specialist in French Gothic cathedrals, she contributes to the scientific study of Notre-Dame de Paris during its restoration. She is a member of the Chantier scientifique de Notre-Dame de Paris (Group Décor), a team of scientists and historians commissioned by the French Ministry of Culture to study the cathedral during the restoration. She currently leads Notre-Dame in Color, a project that uses digital tools to reveal the cathedral’s original painted sculptures.  

Asia Laird is the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Histovery, North America. Histovery is the global leader in educational and cultural 3D media production. She is a trustee of the Cathedral St. John the Divine in New York City.  She began her career at Christie’s Paris and is a graduate of Yale University