Front Burner

How Notre-Dame Cathedral survived centuries of war and change

Today on Front Burner, French historian Paul Cohen explains how Notre-Dame Cathedral has survived centuries of war, change and restorations in its over 850 years of history.
A man reacts as he watches the flames engulf Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday. (Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images)

On Monday, as Parisians and tourists watched in horror, a fire ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral, destroying much of the historic church and its famous spire.

Despite worries that the church will never be the same, about $1 billion has been raised to pay for extensive renovations of the landmark.

Today on Front Burner, as France mourns, French historian Paul Cohen explains how Notre-Dame Cathedral survived centuries of change in its over 850 years of history.

Subscribe to Front Burner in your favourite podcast app.