Microsoft to Create Digital Replica of Notre-Dame Cathedral with France
Microsoft is joining forces with the French government to create a digital replica of Paris’ iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral. The announcement was made by Brad Smith, president of the US tech company, on Monday. Notre-Dame, France’s most visited monument, reopened last December after a five-year restoration following the devastating 2019 fire. Now, a digital model will help preserve its architectural details and offer virtual access to people worldwide.
Digital Twin to Aid Preservation and Accessibility
According to Microsoft, the digital replica will not only act as a precise architectural record but also allow virtual tours. This initiative means visitors unable to travel to Paris can still explore the cathedral online. Microsoft explained that such a digital twin could assist in ongoing maintenance by providing an accurate visual record of the structure.
Brad Smith highlighted lessons from Microsoft’s past project at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. “The ability to create a digital twin right now I think will provide an enormously valuable digital record that I believe people are going to be using 100 years from now,” Smith told Reuters.
Notre-Dame: A Historic Landmark
The 862-year-old Gothic cathedral has long stood as a symbol of French history and culture. Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” helped cement its status in global culture. Quasimodo, the novel’s famous character, has appeared in films, Disney animations, and musicals, contributing to the cathedral’s global fame.
Expanding Microsoft Heritage Preservation Efforts
This Notre-Dame project follows Microsoft’s growing efforts in digitally preserving world heritage sites. Previously, the tech giant collaborated with Iconem, a French specialist in heritage digitalisation, to create a replica of St Peter’s Basilica. Microsoft has also worked on projects like Ancient Olympia in Greece, Mont Saint-Michel in France, and commemorations such as the 80th Anniversary of the Allied Beach Landings in Normandy.
The digital replica of Notre-Dame is expected to support future maintenance, enhance global accessibility, and preserve the cathedral’s intricate design for generations to come.
with inputs from Reuters
