The Past Has Ears at Notre-Dame: Acoustic research at the intersection of virtual reality, cultural heritage, and experimental archaeology

The aftermath of the devastating 2019 fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral has now culminated in its restoration and grand reopening to the public in December 2024. As part of the restoration effort, scientific working groups were formed, including one dedicated to Acoustics. In parallel, two projects on architectural acoustic heritage were launched: the European initiative “The Past Has Ears” and the French interdisciplinary study “The Past Has Ears at Notre-Dame.” Through these concerted efforts, we elaborated a digital acoustic twin of the pre-fire cathedral, adapted to predict both future and past states, integrating architectural, decorative, and archival data. This simulation model was then employed to explore questions about conditions over time, addressing inquiries related to musicology, religious practice, and organology and examining how the acoustics of Notre-Dame varied through the centuries. Beyond passive renderings, experimental virtual archaeological-acoustics techniques placed trained musicians in historically relevant settings that emerged during the cathedral’s construction, shedding light on the dynamic relationship between musical style, performance, and architecture. Further studies focused on Notre-Dame’s historical organs, particularly the position of the early medieval organ and how placement influenced acoustics. Responding to widespread public interest, the research team also conducted various outreach activities, including a radio-fiction series, a spatial audio-guide, and an immersive virtual concert.