Rachida Dati Presses for Paid Entry at Notre-Dame to Fund Religious Heritage

The French culture minister proposes a €5 entry fee for tourists to generate millions annually for the restoration of endangered religious sites.

Rachida Dati, France's Minister of Culture, is advocating for a €5 entry fee for tourists visiting Notre-Dame de Paris to support the restoration of 4,000 endangered religious buildings.
The proposed measure could generate an estimated €75 to €100 million annually, which Dati argues is crucial for preserving France's religious heritage.
The Diocese of Paris opposes the plan, citing the Catholic Church's principle of free access to places of worship, including Notre-Dame, which saw 12 million visitors in 2017.
Dati reaffirmed her commitment to the proposal during a press event in Dijon, where she also announced full state funding for the restoration of the Saint-Bénigne cathedral spire.
The minister emphasized the importance of cultural investment and urged local governments to maintain their support for cultural initiatives despite budget constraints.