Microsoft is partnering with the French government to develop a digital replica of Paris' iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, the company's president Brad Smith announced on Monday, according to Reuters. The initiative follows the Gothic landmark's reopening in December 2024 after a five-year restoration prompted by the devastating 2019 fire. Microsoft said the digital twin will document the cathedral's intricate architecture and offer a virtual experience for those unable to visit in person. The project builds on Microsoft's previous work with French heritage digitisation firm Iconem, including a digital model of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Smith noted the value of such replicas in supporting long-term conservation, saying they preserve detailed records "people are going to be using 100 years from now". Since 2019, Microsoft has digitally preserved sites such as Ancient Olympia in Greece, Mont Saint-Michel in France, and commemorations of the Normandy landings. Attribution: Reuters Subediting: M. S. Salama
