About Notre-dame de Paris
The Augmented Exhibition

The exterior of Notre-dame de Paris

Notre-Dame de Paris, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a renowned masterpiece of Gothic architecture, was built around 800 years ago on Île de la Cité in Paris. This historic symbol of Paris suffered significant damage in the fire on April 15, 2019.

To restore this architectural gem, experts from various fields have come together, using advanced technologies like drone surveys and detailed digital modeling alongside the specialized skills of architects and art restorers.

This exhibition tells the story of Notre-Dame de Paris’s restoration journey, highlighting the process of bringing this site back to its former glory through the use of an augmented reality touch-screen tablet called the HistoPad. The exhibition has traveled to various countries, showcasing the cathedral’s revival with the support of cutting-edge technologies.

Now, as Notre-Dame de Paris prepares for its full reopening in December 2024, the exhibition will make its highly anticipated debut in Tokyo, featuring special, exclusive content.

The Exhibition

Like being inside the Cathedral!

From its founding in 1160 to the restoration after the 2019 fire, embark on a journey through time with the HistoPad. Pass through 21 Time Portals as this tablet guides you through the cathedral’s rich history.

A map of the exhibition floor
  1. The Fire, 15th April 2019
  2. A Builder’s Dream
  3. Blacksmiths
  4. Stonemasons
  5. The Building Site of a Century
  6. The Forest
  7. The Gothic Choir
  8. The Western Rose
  9. The Holy Relics
  10. Heart of the City
  11. Marriage of Religion
  12. Royal Promise
  13. The Revolution
  14. The Imperial Coronation
  15. Selfie *
  16. An architectural genius
  17. The spire
  18. Securing the monument
  19. Worksite innovations
  20. The Restoration, 2021-2024
  21. Visit the Site of Notre-Dame
  22. Construction site professionals
  23. Thanks *

* Time Portals #15 and #23 are not time travel experiences.​

A picture of a person operating a HistoPad

Time Portals

There are 21 Time Portals placed throughout the venue that serve as doors through time. You can scan with your HistoPad to learn more about that point in Notre-dame’s history!

A picture of people scanning a Time Portal