Past to present: AR exhibit allows guests to experience Notre-Dame Cathedral through the ages

A traveling exhibition featuring an augmented reality (AR) experience of Notre-Dame Cathedral has arrived at the National Palace Museum of Korea in central Seoul.

A view of the exhibition “Notre-Dame de Paris, the Augmented Exhibition: 850 Years of History and Resilience at Your Fingertips,” which runs through Sept. 1 at the National Palace Museum of Korea in central Seoul. [YONHAP]

The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, stands as a premier attraction, drawing more tourists than the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower. Its construction commenced in 1163 and the cathedral was consecrated in 1345. Over the centuries, it has hosted significant historical events, including the coronation of Napoleon I in 1804 and the rehabilitation trial of Joan of Arc. The cathedral suffered severe damage during the French Revolution, being viewed as a symbol of the establishment. Additionally, it gained literary fame as the setting of Victor Hugo's novel "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" (1831).

Architecturally, Notre-Dame is renowned for pioneering the use of flying buttresses, an innovative technique that supports high ceilings and expansive windows, hallmarks of Gothic architecture.

However, a tragic fire broke out on the evening of April 15, 2019, destroying the cathedral’s roof and toppling its spire. Fortunately, the walls and much of the interior remained largely intact. Restoration efforts have been ongoing for the past five years, and the cathedral is set to reopen to the public on Dec. 8.

The augmented reality screen shows the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris in 2019. [HISTOVERY]

In the lead-up to this reopening, a traveling exhibition featuring an augmented reality (AR) experience of the cathedral has arrived at the National Palace Museum of Korea in central Seoul. The exhibit, which opened on July 2 and runs through Sept. 1, is curated and produced by French tech startup Histovery in collaboration with the cathedral’s conservation and restoration team.

"Thanks to the generous donations from around the world, including those from Korea, it was possible to rebuild the cathedral," said Bruno de Sa Moreira, CEO and co-founder of Histovery, during a press conference at the National Palace Museum on July 1. “We celebrate here together a worldwide heritage that has no frontier. So, we feel a very special connection to be here to share 1,000 years of history.”

The exhibit, titled “Notre-Dame de Paris, the Augmented Exhibition: 850 Years of History and Resilience at Your Fingertips,” offers visitors an interactive experience of the cathedral's 850-year history. Visitors can explore the cathedral’s interior and travel back to the year 1160 when construction had not yet begun. This AR experience is facilitated by Samsung Galaxy tablets equipped with Histovery’s HistoPad solution, which provides 21 time portals vividly showcasing key historic moments, from the laying of the foundation stone in 1163 to the recent restoration efforts following the 2019 fire.

A visitor enjoys the augmented reality exhibit on July 1 using Samsung Galaxy tablet equipped with Histovery’s HistoPad. [NEWS1]

Key historical events brought to life include the construction of the Gothic choir stalls in 1180, the enshrinement of the Crown of Thorns by Louis IX in 1241, Napoleon I's coronation in 1804 and the erection of the grand spire by Eugene Viollet-le-Duc in 1859. Visitors can also witness the 2019 fire and the heroic efforts of the Paris fire brigade to put it out.

The exhibition includes a treasure hunt mission through the HistoPad, offering a small gift sponsored by L’Oreal Korea upon completion. The HistoPad supports 13 languages, including Korean, and is accessible to visitors with visual or mobility impairments.

“To enhance the immersive experience, we have installed large photos, three-dimensional models and life-sized chimera statues in the exhibition hall,” said a museum official. "Notably, a carpet recreating the cathedral's floor, windows mimicking the stained glass, organ and bell sounds and the iconic rose window of the cathedral provide a vivid experience that makes visitors feel as if they are at the actual site."

Parisians enjoy the traveling exhibit “Notre-Dame de Paris, the Augmented Exhibition: 850 Years of History and Resilience at Your Fingertips.” [HISTOVERY]

The National Palace Museum of Korea, in collaboration with Histovery, decided to bring this exhibit to Seoul following its successful stops in 12 cities, including Washington, Shanghai, Montreal, Dubai and London, where it attracted approximately 500,000 visitors. The exhibition's development was sponsored by the L'Oréal Group, with Samsung Electronics supporting the Korean edition.

“As a company with a 115-year tradition in France, we are deeply honored to support this national heritage project,” said Samuel du Retail, CEO of L’Oreal Korea. “We are particularly delighted to present such a significant exhibition at the National Palace Museum of Korea, an institution that cherishes the long and rich history of Korea. We hope that this exhibition showcasing how technology can support cultural heritage and beauty will provide an innovative and educational experience that inspires all its visitors.”

The National Palace Museum of Korea has a history of hosting special exhibitions featuring royal cultural heritage from around the world. It chose to bring this exhibition to Korea to highlight the shared cultural heritage and its global significance.

The augmented reality screen shows the laying of the foundation stone for the Notre-Dame de Paris in 1165. [HISTOVERY]

The augmented reality screen shows the construction of the cathedral in 1180. [HISTOVERY]

The augmented reality screen shows the procession fo the Crown of Thorns enshrined by Louis IX in 1241. [HISTOVERY]

The augmented reality screen shows the coronation of Napoleon I in 1804. [HISTOVERY]

The augmented reality screen shows the interior of Notre Dame de Paris in 1645. [HISTOVERY]

To complement this special exhibition, the museum and the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage co-hosted an international academic conference on July 10 titled “Restoration of Damaged Cultural Heritage around the World and Related Challenges.” Experts from around the world discussed the restoration and future utilization of cultural heritage sites damaged by external factors, including the Sungnyemun Gate in Korea, the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Shurijo Castle in Okinawa, Japan.

"It is a global trend to enable more people to enjoy cultural heritage in various ways through digitalization," said Jeong Yong-jae, director of the National Palace Museum of Korea. “As a museum specializing in royal heritage, the National Palace Museum of Korea will continue to actively promote royal cultural heritage in Korea and abroad and actively cooperate with specialized institutions worldwide to provide quality viewing content to visitors.”

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]