Resurrecting Notre-Dame de Paris

Podcast Summary

• A Historical Icon's Transformations: Notre Dame Cathedral: Throughout its 800-year history, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has undergone transformations, showcasing its resilience and enduring significance. Despite damage from a fire, its bells and rich history continue to bridge centuries.

  Notre Dame Cathedral, a historical and cultural icon in Paris, has undergone numerous transformations throughout its 800-year history. Thomas Van Houtriv, a photographer, experienced this firsthand during his National Geographic assignment. He witnessed the beauty of Paris from the unique perspective of the cathedral's towers, contrasted by the devastation caused by a fire in 2019. Despite the damage, the cathedral's bells, each with their own history, survived and continue to bridge the centuries. The restoration effort exposes the cathedral's rich history, with layers dating back centuries and new additions. The evolution of Notre Dame demonstrates its resilience and enduring significance.

• A testament to human perseverance and cultural significance: The Notre Dame Cathedral, built over 200 years in the 12th century, is a symbol of human resilience and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

  The Notre Dame Cathedral, built over 200 years in the 12th century, is a testament to human perseverance and the power of cultural and spiritual significance. Despite being an immense project that took generations to complete, the people of Paris continued to build and care for it, making it a central part of French history. When the cathedral was severely damaged by fire in 2019, the entire country came together in hope that it could be restored once again. The cathedral, which has stood at the heart of Paris for over 800 years, continues to inspire and unite people, showcasing the enduring power of human connection and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

• Photographer's Challenges Documenting Notre Dame Rebirth: Photographer Thomas von Hutrieff faced unique challenges gaining access, dealing with safety concerns, and working at great heights to document Notre Dame's rebirth after the fire, ranking it among his most difficult assignments.

  Photographer Thomas von Hutrieff's experience documenting the rebirth of Notre Dame Cathedral after the fire was filled with challenges, from gaining access to dealing with safety concerns. The access proved to be one of the most difficult nuts to crack in his entire photographic career, ranking alongside photographing in Pyongyang, North Korea. The safety concerns were significant due to lead poisoning from the melted lead roof and spire, requiring strict protocols and training. The technical challenge came from working at great heights. Despite these challenges, Thomas persisted and was rewarded with a magical experience inside the cathedral, which he described as having a huge gaping hole in its heart where the spire had fallen.

• Unearthing Notre Dame's history during restoration: The restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral is not just about rebuilding, but also discovering history through debris and studying medieval workers' signatures.

  The restoration process of Notre Dame Cathedral is not just about rebuilding the physical structure, but also about unearthing its rich history. The cathedral, which once left visitors in awe with its grandeur, now stands as a massive archaeological site filled with debris and scaffolding. However, this destruction has led to new discoveries, as scientists and historians are able to study the backside of fallen stones, revealing the signatures of medieval workers and potentially linking their work to other cathedrals across Europe. Thomas, who has witnessed this process from a unique perspective, has also captured breathtaking aerial footage of the cathedral using drones, providing a new perspective on the restoration efforts. Overall, the restoration of Notre Dame is not just about putting the pieces back together, but also about shedding light on the lives and work of those who came before us.

• Gaining Access to Unique Locations for Stunning Aerial Photography: Securing necessary permissions and possessing technical skills grant access to exclusive locations for captivating aerial perspectives, offering a unique view of historical sites and their damage.

  Gaining access to unique and restricted locations, like flying a drone above the Notre Dame cathedral, requires a combination of technical skills and obtaining necessary permissions. The experience of seeing such places from an aerial perspective offers a unique and magnificent perspective that cannot be replicated otherwise. For Thomas, the pressure to successfully capture the images was intense due to the historical significance and fragility of the site. Despite the challenges, the result was breathtaking and provided a new perspective on the cathedral's damage. Access is a crucial aspect of capturing remarkable images and experiences, and with the right preparation and permissions, the rewards can be truly extraordinary.

• Climbing the Heights of Paris: Notre Dame Restoration: Climbing unexpectedly offered Thomas access to unique experiences and connections during the Notre Dame restoration project, allowing him to explore both the physical and cultural heights of Paris.

  For Thomas Mannhutriv, having climbing skills unexpectedly opened doors to new experiences and connections while working on the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Climbing presented challenges as a photographer, requiring him to carefully manage his equipment while climbing on ropes and attachments. The team of workers, called rope access technicians or cordices, were highly trained climbers who provided access to parts of the cathedral and local culture that might have been difficult to reach otherwise. Thomas formed a connection with Kavin Desson, a fellow climber who had worked on the Eiffel Tower but found Notre Dame to be a whole new experience. Together, they and their team tackled various tasks, from constructing a temporary roof to repairing beams and vacuuming high places, often while wearing hazmat suits and respirators. The shared experience of climbing brought Thomas and his colleagues closer together, allowing him to access both the physical and cultural heights of Paris.

• A profound experience: Restoring Notre Dame: Restoring Notre Dame evokes history, inspiration, and privilege. Literary greats and historical significance fuel documentation and interpretation. A 19th century camera adds a unique connection to the past.

  Working on the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral is a profound experience that evokes a sense of history, inspiration, and privilege for those involved. Thomas and Kevin, who have climbed both the cathedral and a mountain, compare the feeling of being at the top to the unique experience of being inside the cathedral. For Thomas, the inspiration from literary greats like Victor Hugo and the historical significance of the building push him to document and interpret the restoration as both a journalist and an artist. The use of a 19th century wet plate camera adds another layer of connection to the past and challenges him to capture the feeling of the cathedral in a unique way. Overall, the experience of working on the restoration is a humbling reminder of the flow of history and the impact of human creativity and inspiration on a beloved symbol of Paris.

• Notre Dame's Ongoing Story: Notre Dame Cathedral's history is vast and continues to unfold, with the devastating fire of 2019 adding a new chapter. We're all a part of its story and can support its restoration through subscriptions and social media.

  Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is a unique and incredible human creation with a rich history that continues to evolve. Thomas, a photographer who used to avoid the crowds, now feels privileged to be a part of its ongoing story. The devastating fire of 2019 added another layer to its history, and the cathedral will continue to be a subject of fascination for generations to come. Thomas's photos may even be discovered and appreciated by future generations. The scale of Notre Dame's history can be hard to comprehend, but as Thomas has learned, we are all a part of its story. The restoration process is ongoing, and you can support it by subscribing to National Geographic and following Thomas's work on Instagram. Overheard at National Geographic is produced by a team of dedicated professionals, and you can find more information about the restoration and Thomas's work in the show notes.