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This iconic cathedral will reopen in December 2024, five years after the devastating fire in April 2019. According to French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, authorities are proposing to charge a 5 euro fee per visitor to Notre Dame Cathedral. It is estimated that this fee would generate approximately $81 million annually for the restoration of other cathedrals.
“Throughout Europe, tourists have to pay to enter the most noteworthy religious sites. With 5 euros per visitor to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, we can save churches across France. This would be a beautiful symbol,” Minister Rachida Dati said in an interview with Le Figaro.
In a move aimed at preserving and promoting the value of architectural heritage, the French Ministry of Culture is considering a proposal to charge a fee for tourists visiting Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
France has approximately 42,000 Catholic churches, many of which are in a state of disrepair. Experts estimate that a religious building disappears every two weeks due to neglect, fire, or vandalism.
In 2022 alone, the French Interior Ministry spent €57 million on religious heritage, and over the past five years, €280 million has been dedicated to restoring more than 8,000 sites. However, many churches in rural areas are still in serious disrepair. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was once one of the most visited monuments in the world, attracting 12 to 14 million visitors annually.
While some support the proposal, many others argue that it is unreasonable. This is because in France, the government has traditionally been responsible for preserving religious sites nationwide, including 15,000 sites classified as historical monuments, and visitors to these sites are usually exempt from admission fees.
This fee, although not large, will contribute significantly to the maintenance and restoration not only of Notre Dame Cathedral, but also many other churches across France that are in disrepair.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is a quintessential Gothic religious building located on the Ile de la Cite island in Paris, France. It is also the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Paris. Built starting in 1163 near the Seine River, this architectural masterpiece took nearly 200 years to complete. The cathedral has stood for over 850 years, playing a significant role in the city's history.
Following the fire in 2019, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is undergoing reconstruction. Parts of the structure were severely damaged, including the roof and spire. President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to rebuild Notre Dame within five years, attracting significant financial support from the private sector.
