According to the Minister of Culture, 20% of the 45,000 French historical monuments are present «bad condition» and 5% of them are even «in danger» et «are at risk of disappearing».
Extension of the 300 million euro budget for heritage, plan on freedom of creation: Rachida Dati defended her 2025 budget on Tuesday before the Senate Culture Committee, also renewing her controversial proposal to charge entry to Notre-Dame Lady of Paris. The Minister of Culture took advantage of this hearing to announce the presentation of a government amendment proposing an additional 300 million euros for the heritage, which should be discussed on November 13th before this same commission.
“In an exceptional situation, an exceptional response”justified Rachida Dati, evoking the State “alarming” inheritance. According to her, 20% of the 45,000 French historical monuments are present “very bad conditions” and 5% of them (2,000) are even “in danger” et “at risk of disappearing”. If the amendment were adopted by Parliament, this sum would be added to the 1.2 billion euros that the heritage represents in a Culture budget of 4.45 billion euros provided for by the finance law. “Very concretely, this amendment will allow an additional effort of 55 million euros for the historical monuments of the regions”continued the minister. His ministry specified that this aid will benefit, for example, the Saint-Nicolas tower in La Rochelle, which risks collapsing.
“Special attention” for Versailles and the Center Pompidou
According to Dati, the amendment will also serve to unblock “an allocation of 23 million euros for local museums, with specific attention to small museums in rural areas”. “will allow other facilities in the regions, such as conservation and archaeological study centres”he added. According to her, “special attention” will be worn “for the most urgent needs of our large factories”: Center Pompidou in Paris, Palace and Estate of Versailles, Fontainebleau and Chambord.
The minister also reiterated her desire to implement a “charging the entrance to Notre-Dame-de-Paris, which could unlock 75 million euros to finance the restoration of religious heritage in the regions”without specifying whether this measure is intended to be permanent or temporary. He specified that, “if the diocese (of Paris, ed.) agrees”this paid revenue could be collected by the National Monuments Center to be redistributed to the diocese and territories, “without touching the law of 1905” of the separation of Church and State. At the end of October the diocese insisted on the principle of “free entry into churches and cathedrals”defended by the Catholic Church in France, while Notre-Dame de Paris is among the most visited buildings in Europe, with 12 million people in 2017 and “14-15 million” expected after the reopening scheduled for December 7th.
Rachida Dati also proposed again “differentiated prices for large operators (museums and tourist sites, ed.) which welcome over 60% of the foreign public”. He also announced that he wanted to make more concrete the use of the money raised from the subscription launched by Emmanuel Macron in 2023 to help small towns preserve religious buildings in danger, which aims to raise 200 million euros in four years. By the end of the month, “a project that will concern creative freedom” will be performed, while several actors from the entertainment world have expressed concern in recent weeks about not finding a presenter during tours seeing theater shows, due to topics presumably being too sensitive or controversial. Another announcement: the resumption of a mission on the “economic model of live entertainment” and the sustainability of its funding, with no further details at this stage.
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Dr. Isabelle Dubois, Heritage Conservation Expert
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Dubois! Thank you for joining us today. The recent statements by Minister of Culture Rachida Dati regarding the state of France’s historical monuments have certainly sparked a lot of discussions. To begin, can you share your insights on the alarming statistics she presented, particularly the claims that 20% of French historical monuments are in “very bad conditions”?
Dr. Dubois: Thank you for having me! Yes, the statistics are indeed concerning. France boasts around 45,000 historical monuments, and if 20% are in very bad condition, that translates to about 9,000 buildings at risk. This highlights a significant issue of neglect in our cultural heritage management. Many of these monuments are not only architectural treasures but also vital parts of our national identity and history.
Editor: Absolutely. The Minister also mentioned that 2,000 monuments are “in danger” and at risk of disappearing. What are some reasons behind these dire conditions?
Dr. Dubois: There are several factors at play. Aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance funding, and even climate change can significantly impact the structural integrity of these buildings. In some cases, local governments may prioritize more immediate social needs over monument restoration, leading to a slow decline in their condition. It’s a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach.
Editor: Speaking of funding, Dati announced an additional €300 million for heritage preservation as part of the upcoming 2025 budget. Do you think this financial boost will be enough?
Dr. Dubois: It’s a step in the right direction, but we need to carefully consider how this funding is allocated. The emphasis should be on preventative maintenance and ensuring that funds are directed to the most at-risk sites. While an additional €300 million is significant, the vast number of monuments in distress means that we may still fall short of addressing all urgent needs.
Editor: The Minister’s proposal also includes charging an entry fee to places like Notre-Dame-de-Paris, with the intention of generating funds for restoration. What are your thoughts on this strategy?
Dr. Dubois: Charging for entry can indeed be a viable solution to generate much-needed funds, especially for high-profile sites like Notre-Dame. However, it’s crucial that such measures do not alienate the public. Access to cultural heritage should be inclusive, so finding a balance where we can fund restoration while allowing broader access is essential.
Editor: She also emphasized special attention for significant sites like Versailles and the Pompidou Center. Shouldn’t all monuments, regardless of their fame, receive equal attention?
Dr. Dubois: Yes, ideally, every monument deserves attention based on its historical and cultural importance, not just its notoriety. While major sites like Versailles attract tourists and funding, many smaller, local monuments also tell unique stories that can enrich our understanding of history. It’s imperative that we develop a more equitable preservation strategy.
Editor: Lastly, with talk of initiatives and funding, do you believe there’s an adequate public awareness of the state of our cultural heritage in France?
Dr. Dubois: Public awareness is slowly growing, particularly with recent media coverage on the subject. However, there’s still a long way to go. Building strong community engagement and awareness around cultural heritage preservation is crucial. Initiatives like educational campaigns and community involvement in restoration projects can make a significant difference.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Dubois. It’s clear that while there are some steps being taken, there’s much more to be done to protect and preserve France’s rich cultural heritage. We appreciate your insights on this important issue.
Dr. Dubois: Thank you for the conversation! It’s vital that we continue discussing these issues to ensure that future generations can appreciate and learn from our historical treasures.