Microsoft and France Collaborate on Digital Replica of Notre-Dame Cathedral
In a groundbreaking fusion of technology and cultural preservation, Microsoft has announced a partnership with the French government to create a digital replica of Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris and France’s most visited monument.
A New Digital Chapter for Notre-Dame
The 862-year-old Gothic cathedral, which reopened to the public in December 2024 after a five-year restoration following a catastrophic fire in 2019, will now be digitally preserved in high detail. Microsoft’s digital twin project aims to record every architectural feature of the structure while offering immersive virtual access to global audiences.
“The ability to create a digital twin right now will provide an enormously valuable digital record that I believe people are going to be using 100 years from now,” said Brad Smith, President of Microsoft.
From Devastation to Digital Innovation
Notre-Dame, famously immortalised in Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” has become a global symbol of French culture. The cathedral’s reconstruction has been closely followed worldwide, and now, through Microsoft’s digital initiative, the public will have a new way to experience its grandeur, virtually.
The digital replica will allow people from all over the world to:
- Explore the cathedral remotely
- Understand its historic and architectural significance
- Support future preservation and restoration efforts
Microsoft’s Legacy in Digital Heritage Preservation
This isn’t Microsoft’s first venture into cultural preservation. In 2024, the tech giant worked with French firm Iconem, known for digitalising heritage sites, to build a digital twin of St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Microsoft has also supported digital preservation projects at:
- Ancient Olympia in Greece
- Mont Saint-Michel in France
- The 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings
“One of the things we learned from the work at St Peter’s is how a digital twin can help support the ongoing maintenance of a building,” Smith added.
Why Digital Twins Matter
A digital twin is more than just a 3D model. It’s a comprehensive, data-rich virtual representation that can assist with:
- Long-term maintenance and restoration
- Disaster recovery planning
- Educational and tourism experiences
For cultural institutions, digital twins offer a resilient method of safeguarding irreplaceable heritage for future generations.
Conclusion
As Notre-Dame enters a new era post-restoration, Microsoft’s collaboration with France ensures that the cathedral’s history, beauty, and cultural value are preserved in digital form. This initiative blends modern technology with timeless history, making Notre-Dame more accessible and protected than ever before.
