Five and a half years after its devastating fire, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral is better than ever. Shining on the Île de la Cité, overlooking the Seine and observing the people of Paris, to whom does the Lady of the Rock owe her rebirth? A priori, not in Paris.
846 million euros paid by 350 donors
If Notre-Dame reopens its doors on Saturday, December 7, it will undoubtedly be thanks to the unprecedented generosity of thousands of donors. Small or large, heirs or wealthy French, unknown, the number of donors, from 150 countries to restore the cathedral, reached 350 for a total contribution of 000 million euros.
In order to rebuild the old after the fire of April 15, 2019, the state launched a call for help. In this massive fundraising project, the wealthy names François Pinault, Bernard Arnault and the Bettencourt family alone will donate 500 million of the 843 million collected.
Founded in 2017, the group “Friends of Notre Dame de Paris” also saw donations after the fire. In total, it raises 57 million dollars from 45 mostly American donors.
But according to the public institution responsible for the renovation of the cathedral, “the majority” of the millions collected represent small donations from people: “We talked a lot about the big donors who were very generous but there were 300 small donors” Stéphane Bern told AFP.
Without this generous outpouring, Notre-Dame could not have risen from the ashes. When was he on the edge of Paris?
Where did the 50 million euros of donations promised by Anne Hidalgo go?
Despite the promise to donate 50 million euros by the mayor Anne Hidalgo, Paris will not give anything.
“There has never been a contribution from the city of Paris. Some small towns gave 10 or 20 euros, which shows the real attachment of the French to the restoration of Notre-Dame, but Paris did not give a cent! » He criticized the opposition MP Brigitte Kuster. A former member of parliament in Paris, she heads the information team for the preservation and restoration of the cathedral until 2022, which is responsible for monitoring the distribution of donations.
“Most High, Anne Hidalgo considers paying property taxes, as she has the right. This public service tax amounts to 3,7 million euros per year, or approx 20 million directly impacted by donations. The media and warnings from General Georgelin fortunately allowed the city of Paris to waive this wasteful tax. » (Brigitte Kuster).
“The building of the century” continues with the remaining 146 million euros
As provided in the law of July 29, 2019, the money collected during the payment will be allocated for the renewal of Notre-Dame. Therefore, the remaining 146 million euros should be used a The third phase of the project will begin after the opening of the cathedral to the public, in 2025. According to the Élysée, this new level will include an exterior renovation, a project estimated at 170 million euros according to the Notre-Dame Foundation.
Another architectural jewel, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral welcomes 13 million visitors annually. With about 30 to 000 people every day, it is the most visited monument in the world. The unprecedented generosity that followed its devastating fire reminds us of the importance of this centuries-old bridge as a symbol of identity and the challenge of preserving it.
