Five years after flames engulfed the French capital’s cherished Notre Dame cathedral, controversy has arisen over plans to charge visitors admission fees to the 12th-century gothic masterpiece when it reopens in December.
France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati has prompted debate after proposing a 5 euro ($5.41) entrance fee for tourists visiting the Paris landmark, suggesting that such charges could help fund the preservation of the country’s deteriorating churches.
The iconic cathedral, sometimes described as “the soul of France”, has traditionally been free to enter, making the idea somewhat contentious, reported The Associated Press.
After a devastating fire in April 2019 that destroyed its spire, roof, and wooden framework, Notre Dame is set to reopen on Dec 8 following a five-year restoration project.
Dati said the plan to charge a fee could generate 75 million euros annually to help restore France’s crumbling religious buildings. The culture minister said she envisions Notre Dame as a model project for financing the preservation of churches.
Many of Europe’s most notable cathedrals already charge entrance fees, with visitors routinely paying to tour religious landmarks in Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
“Across 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,” Dati told the French daily newspaper Le Figaro last week.
