Agnes Poirier is a writer, commentator and broadcaster. She is a regular contributor on politics and arts for the BBC, CNN, Sky News, Channel 4 and France 24, and she writes for the Guardian, Observer, The Times, Evening Standard and The New York Times, among others. Her most recent book is the acclaimed Left Bank: Art, Passion and the Rebirth of Paris, 1940-50. She lives in Paris and visits London regularly. @AgnesCPoirier
‘Vivid and engrossing… the opening chapter repays the cover price: a breathless, exhaustively researched and utterly unputdownable account of the drama… elegant, witty and constantly informative.’ * Observer * ‘Brisk and entertaining... there is much to be learned here.’ -- Literary Review ‘I doubt that any book published this year will start with a more gripping opening chapter than hers…Poirier recounts these and many other stories with terrific élan and a wry eye for eccentric details.’ -- The Times 'This is not so much a history of the 850-year-old cathedral as an act of thanksgiving for its unknown medieval builders and its modern restorers. Poirier has interviewed several of those involved in the salvage operations. Their emotional involvement with the cathedral and its relics is at the heart of this engaging book.’ -- Spectator 'Notre-Dame is both the soul of France, and the beating heart of Paris. I haven’t been there in a long time. This book left me aching to return.' * Catholic Herald * 'A passionately recounted history, a compelling story of destruction, restoration and the rebirth of hope.' -- Michèle Roberts 'Concise and erudite.' -- New European ‘An elegant and razor-sharp chronicle of Our Lady of Paris.’ -- <i>France</i> ‘Unlocks the door to the past and illuminates Notre-Dame’s role in French culture.’ -- <i>Herald</i>