Abstract
The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris exemplifies the reconstruction of French monuments through its cycles of destruction and restoration, from its 1163 foundation through the 2019 fire. This paper analyzes the evolution of its architectural history and restoration philosophy. Key interventions include the 1793 desecration and the 1844 restoration led by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who established the cathedral's definitive modern image, including the iconic spire. Central to this analysis is Alois Riegl's value system, Age, Historical, Use, and Newness Values, which provide a theoretical framework for assessing how each reconstruction negotiates authenticity, memory, and intervention. Following the 2019 fire, French law mandated that reconstruction must restore the cathedral to the 19th-century Viollet-le-Duc version. The ongoing reconstruction uses advanced 21st-century technology, notably a "digital twin" framework, to achieve unprecedented historical fidelity and material preservation. This data-driven approach contrasts sharply with the post-WWI reconstruction of Notre Dame de Reims, which prioritized pragmatic national recovery using materials like reinforced concrete over absolute material fidelity. The comparative study demonstrates an evolution in French conservation philosophy, moving from idealized or pragmatic restoration toward a contemporary, legally mandated, data-driven fidelity grounded in Riegl’s theoretical values.