French government proposes entrance fee for tourists visiting Notre Dame Cathedral

The French government has announced plans to introduce an entrance fee for tourists visiting the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the country’s most famous historical and cultural landmarks.

France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati shared in an interview with Le Figaro that “leading religious sites across Europe charge entrance fees,” suggesting that France should follow suit. Dati proposed that the Paris Archdiocese introduce a “symbolic fee” for tourist visits to the cathedral, with the revenue being directed toward the preservation of France’s religious heritage.

Potential revenue could reach $81 million annually

Minister Dati indicated that charging tourists a fee of 5 euros ($5.4) per visit could generate approximately 75 million euros annually, which would be a significant boost for ongoing and future conservation efforts.

The restoration of the historic site in Paris has reached its final stage. The Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been undergoing extensive repairs since a devastating fire in 2019, is scheduled to reopen its doors to visitors on Dec. 8.

Devastating Notre Dame fire

Notre Dame Cathedral, viewed as a symbol of Christianity in France, was founded in 1163 by the pope of the era, with construction taking 300 years to complete.

On April 15, 2019, a catastrophic fire broke out for unknown reasons, severely damaging the 857-year-old structure. One of its 96-meter towers and its roof collapsed, causing significant destruction to the iconic building.

An unprecedented fundraising effort followed the tragedy, with donations pouring in from around the world. A record 844 million euros was raised to support the restoration of the cathedral, underscoring its global significance and the widespread desire to see it restored to its former glory.