Americans have rallied behind the restoration of Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, contributing millions to rebuild the iconic structure after the 2019 fire. With donations ranging from modest gifts to multi-million-dollar pledges, U.S. donors have played a crucial role in its revival.
Americans have shown an outpouring of support for the restoration of Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral, donating millions of dollars in the wake of the devastating 2019 fire that threatened to destroy the iconic structure. With contributions ranging from small gifts of $10 to major pledges of $10 million, U.S. donors have been pivotal in the rebuilding effort, second only to the French in terms of total financial backing.
Michel Picaud, president of the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris, a nonprofit established in 2017 to aid in the cathedral's restoration, told AFP that Americans have been among the most generous supporters. “After the French, the Americans have been the biggest donors by far,” he said, as the cathedral prepares to reopen next month.
Cultural Imagination
The nonprofit, based in New Hampshire, has raised an impressive $57 million from 45,000 contributors. The largest single donations came from major American philanthropic organizations, including a $10 million contribution each from the Starr Foundation and the Marie-Josee and Henry Kravis Foundation. Additional donations, such as the $2 million given by the family of cosmetics mogul Estée Lauder to the French Heritage Society in New York, have brought the total contributions from Americans to approximately $62 million.
For many Americans, Notre-Dame is much more than a symbol of French heritage; it has become a cherished part of their cultural imagination. Former U.S. President Barack Obama, who visited the cathedral with his family in 2009, referred to it as “one of the world’s great treasures” in a tweet. The connection between Americans and Notre-Dame dates back centuries, with even Thomas Jefferson, while serving as ambassador to France in the 1780s, visiting the cathedral.
American Affection
The cathedral holds particular significance for Americans due to their historical and cultural ties to European medieval art. Many U.S. museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, house important collections of medieval European art, with some institutions even reconstructing cloisters from French abbeys. Meredith Cohen, a professor of medieval art at UCLA, explained that Notre-Dame serves as a potent symbol of European history that Americans cannot experience on their own soil. She also noted that Victor Hugo's famous 1831 novel, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, which vividly depicted the cathedral, has fueled American affection for the landmark. The novel has inspired numerous film adaptations, including the 1923 silent film classic and Disney's 1996 animated version, further embedding the cathedral into American popular culture.
The cathedral's image has appeared in countless films, from An American in Paris (1951) to Midnight in Paris (2011), as well as in animated features like Ratatouille. Michael Davis, a specialist in French Gothic art, emphasized that the cathedral's façade is not only a symbol of Paris but also represents France, the Catholic Church, and the Middle Ages, making it an enduring cultural icon.
Generous Support
The 2019 fire, which caused widespread shock and grief, ignited a global outpouring of emotion. Major TV networks interrupted their broadcasts to cover the blaze as it ravaged the cathedral. Even U.S. President Donald Trump, deeply concerned, tweeted suggestions on how to fight the fire. For many Americans, the fire triggered a personal connection to Notre-Dame, which they had visited or admired in films and books.
The swift and heartfelt response from U.S. donors was praised by those involved in the restoration. Bertrand Badre, a former World Bank managing director and board member of Friends of Notre-Dame, highlighted the “generous and immediate” support, noting that many donors shared deeply personal testimonials. Cohen added that Americans' enduring affection for French culture, from philosophy to fashion, has only strengthened their bond to Notre-Dame.
With AFP
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