Notre Dame: Its Significance in French History

The intertwining of French history and the building of Notre Dame cathedral was the theme of Carole Petipher’s talk to a full room of ASM members on March 3.  For over a millennium the cathedral has retained its essential Gothic form as Kings and emperors, anarchists and architects have used it or abused it to represent their ideas of what French culture is or should be. Carole made clear how the power of this building in the French psyche was so strong that there was little doubt it would be fully restored to its Gothic glory after the devastating fire five years ago. Members enjoyed additional conversations with Ms. Petipher over tapas after the talk.