French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati has proposed a €5 entry fee for visitors to the medieval Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris sparking strong opposition from the Catholic Church.
The Church has claimed the suggested move, unveiled on October 24, would “hinder freedom of worship” as protected by France’s 1905 law on the separation of Church and State.
The Paris diocese asserted that an entry fee would not only violate the legal principles but also compromise the Church’s mission.
“Notre-Dame de Paris wishes to reaffirm the Catholic Church’s position on free admission to churches and cathedrals. This policy respects both the provisions of the 1905 law and the fundamental purpose of the Church,” diocese representatives said in a statement on October 24.
The 1905 law was founded on three key principles: State neutrality; freedom of religious practice; and the relationship between public authorities and the Church.
The French State has full ownership of its cathedrals while the relevant communes can control local churches, a structure which dates back to 1801, when Napoleon was First Consul of France, and was later codified in the 1905 separation of Church and State.
Dati argued that the fee, targeting tourists rather than worshippers, would be vital for preserving French heritage sites and could generate an estimated €75 million annually, helping fund restoration projects for other struggling churches across the nation.
“With just €5 per visitor, Notre-Dame could sustain the preservation of all churches in Paris and beyond,” she argued, calling it “a magnificent symbol”.
The diocese was unconvinced by Dati’s distinction between tourists and the faithful, emphasising the logistical challenge of separating the two groups.
“This division would be highly complex to enforce in practice,” it noted.
Dati also pointed to other European countries where entry fees are common for religious places.
Backing her proposal, the French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed his support on October 24, stating: “If €5 helps preserve a cultural heritage dear to all, whether one believes in heaven or not, then it’s worth it.
“This isn’t just about religion — it’s about preserving the French cultural landscape.”
Because French law grants the State full ownership of its cathedrals, their operators may have the final say in the decision.
The diocese said it hoped for a consensual outcome.
“Safeguarding France’s religious heritage is a subject close to the hearts of many, believers and non-believers alike, and deserves concerted consideration,” it said.
“Other ways can be explored than that of taxing visitors to Notre-Dame, for a price that is by no means anecdotal and would inevitably lead people to give up visiting a cathedral that is by nature open to all.”
Notre-Dame will reopen to the public on December 7 following lengthy renovations after a fire that tore through the cathedral in 2019.
