Notre-Dame de Paris Restoration Outreach
The restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris has reached millions through digital content, social media, exhibitions, and educational kits. By making the process accessible despite physical barriers, the project has engaged the public in heritage and raised awareness of the crafts behind the restoration.
The restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris, following the fire of 2019, is one of the most visible heritage projects in Europe. The cathedral, part of the UNESCO-listed Banks of the Seine in Paris, is undergoing extensive restoration led by the public institution Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris. The project has been made possible through the commitment of 340,000 donors from 150 countries, reflecting the unprecedented scale and public interest in the work. Beyond the exceptional technical and architectural challenge, the restoration has served as a powerful tool for engaging the wider public with cultural heritage and the know-how involved.
Due to the inaccessibility of the restoration site, a major effort was made to bring the public closer to the ongoing work through diverse and large-scale outreach activities. The public institution Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris developed a comprehensive engagement strategy, making use of exhibitions, educational programmes, media, digital platforms, and international collaboration. In particular, it has hosted regular cultural events near the cathedral, notably during the European Heritage Days. Several travelling exhibitions have also reached wide audiences in France and beyond.
Special focus was placed on reaching children and audiences not traditionally engaged with heritage, through workshops, guided tours, and adapted educational materials. The active use of social media and digital storytelling significantly expanded outreach. An associated educational kit was distributed to over 1,000 schools across France, targeting more than 250,000 young people.
The website of Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris hosts a range of digital content, including video portraits of artisans, documentation of traditional techniques, 3D reconstructions, and thematic dossiers. The communication programme aimed not only to share knowledge about the monument and its restoration, but also to raise awareness of the associated heritage professions and to train a new generation of restoration specialists. By reviving the transmission of knowledge that historically linked Europe’s great cathedrals and workshops, the initiative has created new connections among craftspeople, apprentices, and the public.
The restoration of the Notre-Dame Cathedral has become a shared cultural experience, strengthening public interest in heritage and contributing to a renewed understanding of conservation as a collective responsibility.
“Notre-Dame de Paris stands as a symbol of European heritage and sets a world-class example in public outreach, while raising awareness of the skills and training required for exemplary restoration,” the Awards’ Jury stated. “The advanced digital documentation and international outreach strategy have engaged millions and reinforced public interest in heritage,” the Jury highlighted.
Contact: Jonathan Truillet | Rebâtir Notre-Dame de Paris | jonathan.truillet@rndp.fr