As the fateful date for the reopening of Notre-Dame-de-Paris draws ever closer, the French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, is keen to introduce an entrance fee for visitors to the monument. A “symbolic price” to be paid, the proceeds of which would then be reused to maintain and safeguard all the churches in France.
Will there soon be a charge for admission to Notre-Dame?
Nearly 5 years after being engulfed in flames during a dramatic fire, the cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Paris is almost ready to reopen its doors to the public. From December 8, Parisians and tourists alike will be able to visit the heart of the Ile de la Cité to rediscover the capital’s most emblematic monument. However, after the extensive renovation work, one unknown factor remains: will we have to pay to access the religious site?
In principle, yes. In any case, this is the wish of Rachida Dati, who points out that many religious buildings in Europe operate on the principle of paying admission. The idea would be to pay “a symbolic fee” that would safeguard France’s religious buildings in the long term. Set at €5, this entrance fee would generate €75 million a year, according to projections.
In the wake of this proposal, the French Minister of Culture assured us that masses and services would remain free and open to all. To be continued. In any case, this proposal is supported by Bruno Retailleau, Minister of the Interior, and Valérie Pécresse, President of Île-de-France Mobilités.