A Conversation with Jean-Claude Golvin, Architectural Historian Extraordinaire

A Conversation with Jean-Claude Golvin, Architectural Historian Extraordinaire Interviewed by Russell Kelley

Event begins at 12pm PT / 1pm MT / 2pm CT / 3pm ET

This conversation will be in English.

If you have read books or articles about Gallo-Roman Lutetia – the period between 52 BC and 486 AD when Paris was occupied by the Romans – you have undoubtedly admired Jean-Claude Golvin’s extraordinary hand-drawn architectural restitutions of the Roman forum, baths, and amphitheater – and much more.  His latest works feature restitutions of medieval Paris, including Notre-Dame Cathedral and its surroundings during the 15^th century.

Jean-Claude Golvin trained as an architect, a city planner, an archaeologist and an historian. He uses the skills learned in all of these professions to create watercolor drawings that bring to life the great sites of Greco-Roman Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Extensive scientific research allows his drawings to take into account what is known about the sites and to imagine the most likely hypotheses needed to complete the picture.

 Jean-Claude Golvin is now turning towards new challenges, including the use of 3D modeling and new technologies to innovate in exciting ways within his field, using a variety of formats, with the goal of sharing his passion for Antiquity and the Middle Ages with the widest possible audience.

Join us to learn more about Jean-Claude Golvin’s wide-ranging career, his rigorous methodology, and his future projects.

Russell Kelley is Vice President of the Alliance Française Miami Metro and the author of The Making of Paris (Lyons Press, 2021). His new book Walking Through the Ages of Paris – Ten Historic Walks Across the City of Light (Lyons Press, 2026) features images by Jean-Claude Golvin to illustrate what Gallo-Roman Lutetia must have looked like.

For AATF Members: The AATF National Office will provide a certificate of attendance to members who request one by submitting a screenshot of their participation. Please contact staff@frenchteachers.org.