01/17/2026
The Catholic Cultural Center of New Orleans is excited to host a special lecture featuring Christophe Besnier, the research director of Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques, France’s public body for preventive archaeology, who served as lead archaeologist of the Notre-Dame Cathedral excavations conducted following the devastating 2019 fire.
The lecture, which is part of the Janice Foulks Catholic Culture Series and presented in partnership with the Alliance Française of New Orleans, the French General Consulate in Louisiana, and Villa Albertine in New Orleans, will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, located within the Old Ursuline Convent Museum, New Orleans, 1112 Chartres St. It is free and open to the public.
Besnier will present groundbreaking findings from the unprecedented archaeological investigations carried out beneath Notre-Dame Cathedral during its restoration. These excavations revealed significant insights into the cathedral’s construction, liturgical life, and medieval history.
“Notre-Dame holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics everywhere,” said Dr. Chris Wiseman, executive director of the Catholic Cultural Center of New Orleans. “To welcome Mr. Besnier, whose work has revealed new insights on one of the most iconic sacred spaces in the world, is a true honor. As we prepare for the restoration of our own St. Louis Cathedral, this discussion continues and enriches a journey shared by New Orleans and Paris.”
