Notre Dame's Comeback: Saving France's Heritage One Euro at a Time

France's culture minister, Rachida Dati, proposes a 5 Euro entrance fee for visiting Notre Dame cathedral upon its reopening to fund religious heritage preservation. With the iconic site's anticipated reopening after a 2019 fire, Dati suggests this fee could serve as a model for national restoration efforts.

France's culture minister, Rachida Dati, has suggested an entrance fee for tourists visiting Notre Dame cathedral, aiming to fund the preservation of France's religious heritage. The cathedral will reopen in December, five years after a devastating fire.

Dati proposes a 5 Euro fee, which could generate approximately 75 million Euros annually. The funds would aid restoration efforts for France's religious buildings, many of which are in disrepair. She hopes Notre Dame can become a model for similar initiatives across the country.

The French government continues its restoration campaigns, but numerous rural churches remain at risk. The fee would only apply to cultural visitors, not those attending religious services, marking a significant step in preserving France's historical sites.

(With inputs from agencies.)