Notre-Dame Goes Digital: Microsoft Builds 3D Twin

In a groundbreaking partnership, Microsoft is working with the French Ministry of Culture and heritage startup Iconem to create a highly detailed digital twin of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The project uses advanced AI and hundreds of thousands of high-resolution images to digitally reconstruct every inch of the historic Gothic structure.

The goal: to preserve the monument’s intricate architecture following its devastating 2019 fire and provide global access to a virtual version of France’s most visited landmark.

The digital model will be housed in a new museum beside the cathedral, allowing visitors to explore Notre-Dame from any angle or height. The replica will also serve scientists, historians, and restoration experts as a long-term archival tool.

Microsoft, which has previously digitized St. Peter’s Basilica and Mont-Saint-Michel, is donating the model to France, ensuring it belongs to the public, not the tech company.

As heritage and high-tech intersect, the project represents a new chapter in cultural preservation. It also ensures that Notre-Dame, immortalized in novels, films, and music, remains accessible and resilient against future threats.