Proposal for Entrance Fee at Notre-Dame de Paris
The discussion surrounding the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris has taken a new turn with the proposal to implement a paid entrance fee for visitors. Rachida Dati, France's Minister of Culture, suggested that a nominal ticket price of 5 euros could generate approximately 75 million euros annually. This revenue would be allocated to a fund dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of religious heritage across the country. The cathedral, which has been under restoration since the devastating fire in 2019, is set to reopen to the public on December 7, 2024, after an extensive 850 million euro restoration project.
The idea has garnered support from various political figures, including Jérémie Patrier-Leitus, a member of the Horizons party, who plans to introduce an amendment in the upcoming budget discussions to formalize this initiative. He argues that this funding mechanism would be beneficial for the preservation of religious sites in France.
Diocese's Stance on Free Entry
However, the proposal has faced pushback from the diocese of Paris, which emphasizes the Catholic Church's long-standing principle of free entry to churches and cathedrals. In a statement, the diocese reiterated its commitment to welcoming all visitors without charge, highlighting that the essence of Notre-Dame is rooted in its role as a place of worship and community. The diocese expressed concerns that charging for entry could create a barrier between pilgrims and tourists, undermining the cathedral's spiritual mission.
The diocese also pointed out that prior to the fire, only specific areas of Notre-Dame, such as the towers and the archaeological crypt, charged for entry. With an expected influx of 14 to 15 million visitors annually post-reopening, the debate over the entrance fee reflects broader discussions about the funding and accessibility of religious heritage sites in Europe.
