PARIS — Even before the fire that devastated Notre Dame Cathedral was extinguished, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed the iconic symbol of Paris would be rebuilt.
The full cost of reconstruction is not yet known, but French billionaires and companies have already pledged millions of dollars toward the effort.
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The largest donation as of Tuesday morning was from LVMH Group, which owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Givenchy. The company and the family of CEO Bernard Arnault promised $226 million, CNN reported.
The Pinault family, which controls French luxury conglomerate Kering, pledged an additional $113 million, according to CNN. Kering brands include Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.
"This tragedy is striking all the French people, and beyond that, all those attached to spiritual values," François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of Kering, said in a statement.
Cette cathédrale Notre-Dame, nous la rebâtirons. Tous ensemble. C’est une part de notre destin français. Je m’y engage : dès demain une souscription nationale sera lancée, et bien au-delà de nos frontières.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 15, 2019
But those who are not billionaires can also donate to help rebuild the 865-year-old cathedral.
The Guardian reported Tuesday morning a national collection was launched by the Foundation for French Heritage. You can donate online here or by sending a check payable to the "Heritage Foundation — Save Our Lady" to the following address:
- Heritage Foundation - Île-de-France Delegation
53 bis avenue Charles De Gaulle
92200 Neuilly sur Seine
Donations can also be made to the Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris. Checks can be sent to:
- Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris
PNC Bank
800 17th Street NW
Washington DC 20006
ABA : 031000053
SWIFT : PNCCUS33 (For International wire only)
Account Number : 5360272299
Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris is a 501(c)(3) charity incorporated in October 2016. It has been raising funds to help finance the restoration of the cathedral.
Cox Media Group
