The rebuilding of Notre Dame, with R. Howard Bloch, Professor of French at Yale

In conversation with Pamela Druckerman

On April 15, 2019 a fire broke out in Notre Dame Cathedral. The spire collapsed and most of the roof was destroyed, but to the relief of the watching world, the Gothic building was saved. What are the economic, political and aesthetic issues involved in rebuilding Notre Dame? How do current efforts to rebuild compare to past ones, across the centuries? Why is this building so central to France’s sense of itself? 

R. Howard Bloch, Sterling Professor of French at Yale, is a specialist in the literature and social history of Medieval France. He holds a medal from the Collège de France, is an officer in France's Order of Arts and Letters, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 

Pamela Druckerman is the author of five books, including the forthcoming rhyming picture book for children Paris by Phone.