Gargoyles, Glass, and Glory

For more than 850 years, Notre Dame Cathedral has stood at the heart of Paris—a Gothic masterpiece, a stage for history, and a symbol of resilience that has inspired awe across centuries. From its foundation stone in 1163 to its triumphant reopening after the devastating 2019 fire, this cathedral has witnessed kings and revolutions, processions and protests, literature and legend. It is not only a place of worship but a monument that embodies the very soul of France.

In Gargoyles, Glass, and Glory, architectural historian Caspar Dene takes listeners on an immersive journey into the secrets and surprises of this world-famous landmark. With vivid storytelling and meticulous detail, each chapter uncovers one of ten fascinating facts that reveal Notre Dame as you’ve never seen it before.

Inside, you’ll discover:

A Two-Century Building Project: How generations of masons, carpenters, and artisans worked for nearly 200 years, layering Early Gothic, High Gothic, and Rayonnant styles into a living textbook of medieval ambition. Gargoyles vs. Grotesques: Why some of the cathedral’s monsters spit rainwater while others brood silently as stone guardians, and how a 19th-century restorer reimagined their mythic presence. Sacred Relics of Christianity: The Crown of Thorns, a fragment of the True Cross, and a holy nail—all preserved against war, fire, and revolution, and still objects of pilgrimage today. The Great Bells: Meet Emmanuel, the 13-ton bourdon that has tolled for coronations, liberations, and funerals, and learn how the French Revolution nearly silenced Notre Dame forever. Victor Hugo’s Masterpiece: How The Hunchback of Notre-Dame transformed public opinion, saved the cathedral from ruin, and helped spark a Gothic revival across Europe.