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Spectator Out Loud Christmas Special: Lara Prendergast, Christopher Howse, Lionel Shriver, Peter Hitchens, Joanna Lumley, Caroline Moore

Best of the Spectator

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The Great Fire in Paris

After being landlocked for the past 18 months, it was a particular thrill to set off to film in three european capitals. It is far easier to dress for mongolia or kirgestan than for paris. To go into the burnt out interior of notre dame, however, meant a full disposable hasmat suit and hard hat as there may have been lead dust lingering. The nave of the great cathedral is almost invisible under the mass of scaffolding which protects and supports what remains of the roof. There are two thousand 787 keys to the vatican treasures, but only one key to the sistine chapel - kept in a sealed envelope behind locked doors.

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