Entry fee debate ignites controversy over Notre Dame's reopening

On Thursday, 25 October this year, we reported on the idea proposed by the French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati. She suggested introducing a fee of five euros for entry to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral upon its reopening. She added that this could generate up to 75 million euros annually, which would be allocated to preserve religious monuments. The French clergy did not well receive this idea.

Church authorities in Paris opposed the proposal to charge for entry to Notre Dame Cathedral. The principle that entry to places of worship in France is free is based on the provisions of the 1905 law on the separation of Church and State, as well as the fundamental mission of temples "to welcome every man and woman unconditionally, and therefore necessarily free of charge, regardless of their religion or belief, opinions, or financial means," states the declaration published on the website of Notre Dame Cathedral.

"At Notre-Dame, pilgrims and visitors have never been separated" - the statement continues. Introducing rules that would differentiate these two groups would lead to a material separation, depriving pilgrims and visitors of the community among them, which is the essence of this site.

The statement also notes that "Notre-Dame de Paris also remembers that among the same visitors who are now proposed to be charged, many have already shown their unwavering attachment to Notre-Dame," by financially supporting the temple's reconstruction.

The Notre Dame Cathedral, damaged by a fire in 2019, is set to reopen at the beginning of December after a five-year reconstruction. It is anticipated to host about 14 million visitors annually.