REBÂTIR NOTRE-DAME - Conference

REBÂTIR NOTRE-DAME

Join us for an extraordinary conference with renowned French archaeologist Christophe Besnier, Research Director at INRAP and lead archaeologist of the Notre-Dame de Paris excavations following the devastating 2019 fire.

Between February and July 2022, a preventive archaeological excavation was carried out by INRAP at the transept crossing of Notre-Dame de Paris, covering a surface area of nearly 120 m². Conducted as part of the cathedral's restoration project, this operation was exceptional both for its central location within the cathedral and the richness of its findings.

Some discoveries were spectacular, such as the tombs and lead coffins of high-ranking dignitaries. Others, though more discreet, were remarkable: masonry remains of a major building predating Notre-Dame, ancient floor levels, and construction layers of the cathedral.

However, the most emblematic and extraordinary discovery remains the uncovering of more than 1,000 painted sculpture fragments, most depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ. These elements belong to Notre-Dame's medieval rood screen, built in the early 13th century—a masterpiece of sculpture and architecture thought to have been lost forever since its destruction in the early 18th century.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• Time: 6:30 PM
• Location: Alliance Française de Houston
• Admission: Free

Presented in French with English interpretation.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear firsthand from the archaeologist who led these groundbreaking excavations and witness how modern archaeology continues to reveal Notre-Dame's secrets.