French Billionaires Give Hundreds Of Millions To Rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral After The Fire
Apr 24, 2019 by apost team
The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral suffered major damage after a raging fire yesterday. The famous landmark in Paris sustained significant damage to its roof and lost an entire spire. Emmanuel Macron, the French President, plead for public donations in order to fund the rebuilding process.
Wealthy citizens throughout the country didn't hesitate to offer their donations. François-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek's billionaire husband, was the first citizen to pledge.
He offered 100 million euros to the project. Bernard Arnault, the wealthiest man in France, doubled this amount with a generous pledge of 200 million euros.
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During a national television address after the fires were quelled, President Macron vowed to rebuild the cathedral.
Since the plea for donations, numerous other investors and corporations have pledged considerable amounts of money. Along with the French government, the donations currently amount to $339 million.
Although the donations will be a vital resource in the rebuilding of the cathedral, the total cost of the repairs is still undetermined. Valérie Pécresse, the regional president, estimates that the repairs will cost "hundreds of millions of euros". The fire destroyed 2,800 square meters of the roof and an entire tower.
Firefighters from the entire region were sent to fight the raging flames at Notre Dame. Although the firefighters were able to quell the fire, the cathedral had already lost the central spire. The oak roof that dates back to the 13th century was also compromised. The interior of the cathedral also sustained significant damage.
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Fortunately, nobody died during the process and a majority of the church's historical artifacts were protected.
The fire spared a relic of the iconic crown of thorns, significant art pieces, the cathedral's bell towers, and many other components of Notre Dame. The cathedral's rose windows are also still intact.
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Nevertheless, citizens throughout the country were heartbroken to hear about the damage.
The Notre Dame Cathedral has always stood as a symbol for French pride and independence.
The international community was also stricken by the images of the burning cathedral. Thirteen million travelers come to visit this iconic building each year.
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Architects, police officers, and other public officials have gathered to determine the possible cause of the fire. An official investigation was opened shortly following the fire. According to Valérie Pécresse, there was no foul play involved. It took firefighters nine hours to completely extinguish the fire.
With the help of France's wealthiest individuals, the rebuilding process can get off to a strong start.
Watch the story in the video below:
In times like this, it is nice to see so many people come together after a tragedy. Have you ever been to Notre Dame and can understand the pain so many people feel? Let us know in the comments and show this story to any friends or family members who may find it inspiring.