PARIS (AP) 鈥� France鈥檚 culture minister, Rachida Dati, has proposed introducing an entrance fee to visit Notre Dame cathedral when it reopens in December, aiming to raise funds for the preservation of the nation鈥檚 religious heritage. The iconic cathedral is set to open its lofty doors again after it was .
The storied interiors, with their soaring ceiling, intricate stained-glass windows and world-class organ, are set to welcome visitors once more 鈥� five years after the catastrophic fire in April 2019. Dati鈥檚 plan would charge tourists 5 euros ($4.16), which could generate 75 million euros ($62.41 million) annually to help restore France鈥檚 crumbling religious buildings. Dati believes could serve as a model for the country鈥檚 preservation efforts.
鈥淎cross Europe, visitors pay to access the most remarkable religious sites. With 5 euros per visitor at Notre Dame, we could save churches all over France. It would be a beautiful symbol,鈥� Dati said in an interview with Le Figaro newspaper published Wednesday evening.
The funds are desperately needed. France is home to approximately 42,000 Catholic churches, many of which are in a state of disrepair. Experts estimate that one religious building is lost every two weeks due to neglect, fire or vandalism.
The French government has launched several campaigns to combat this crisis, including the (asterisk)Loto du patrimoine(asterisk), which funds restoration efforts. In 2022 alone, the Interior Ministry spent 57 million euros on religious heritage, and over the past five years 280 million euros have gone toward restoring over 8,000 sites. Yet many rural churches remain at risk.
Notre Dame鈥檚 reopening is particularly poignant. It once stood as one of the world鈥檚 most-visited monuments, attracting 12 to 14 million visitors each year.
Dati鈥檚 proposals have garnered support, with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau saying: 鈥淚f 5 euros can save our religious heritage, it鈥檚 worth it 鈥� whether you鈥檙e a believer or not.鈥�
Dati said on social platform X that the entrance fee would apply to cultural visitors, not those attending mass or other religious services.
鈥淩eligious services must remain free, but every cultural visitor should contribute to preserving our heritage,鈥� she said.
Prior to the fire, Notre Dame鈥檚 iconic towers had already charged an entry fee. Visitors paid 8.50 euros to climb the 387 steps and gain access to a panoramic view of Paris and a close-up of the cathedral鈥檚 famous gargoyles.
Thomas Adamson, The Associated Press
