Notre‑Dame Reconstruction: Oak, Lead, and Laser Survey

An inside look at Notre‑Dame’s reconstruction blending traditional materials with digital survey and precision alignment.

1/10/2026

17 min read

Notre‑Dame reconstruction works on roof and spire

Reconstruction married traditional craft to digital precision. Teams rebuilt oak frameworks, lead coverings, and the fleche with guidance from dense laser scans.

🪵 Materials & Craft

Oak carpentry: Scribed joints; mortise‑tenon joinery.
Lead roofing: Layered sheets and standing seams.
Stone dressing: Match grain and porosity of originals.

🛰️ Survey & Alignment

LiDAR meshes: Point clouds align frames to millimeters.
Photogrammetry: Texture maps support documentation.
Monitoring: Sensors track movement and moisture.

📋 Site Logistics

Crane choreography: Sequenced lifts to avoid clashes.
Material staging: Weather‑safe zones.
Visitor safety: Controlled perimeters.

Reconstruction works

[^craft]: Workshops train new artisans in medieval and modern techniques.

Автор

Conservation Specialist

Как любитель Парижа и внимательный путешественник, я создал этот гид, чтобы помочь гостям соединиться с историями Нотр‑Дама — где встречаются вера, ремесло и община.