Notre Dame's Restoration Surplus Of Nearly $150M Will Be Used For Future Preservation

More than five years after devastating fire ravaged Notre Dame, igniting nearly $1 billion in pledged donations within days, restoration chief Philippe Jost says €140 million (around $148 million) still remains from funds as cadral prepares to reopen next month.

surplus, sourced from both billionaire benefactors and countless small donors, will be used to support vital future preservation work on 861-year-old Gothic monument.

Jost praised generosity after fire and management of restoration funds that were "entrusted to someone very attentive and professional," he told a news conference in Paris.

He noted that se funds will be used "in agreement with patrons and donors to carry out needed work campaigns," as Notre Dame faces continued demands for preservation and structural integrity.
Jost also confirmed, in response to a question from Associated Press, that billionaire tycoons who pledged vast sums in aftermath of blaze have "fully fulfilled ir financial commitments" and "honored ir pledges me on night of fire or in hours that followed."

This was not always certain.

In hours and days following fire on April 15, 2019, nearly $1 billion was pledged by some of France's wealthiest figures. Bernard Arnault, CEO of luxury conglomerate LVMH, committed €200 million, matched by Bettencourt Schueller Foundation of L'Oréal family, while François Pinault, founder of Kering, and Total's CEO Patrick Pouyanne each promised €100 million.

For months, however, AP revealed that billionaire donors held back on transferring funds, waiting on specific restoration plans and negotiations outlining how ir contributions would be used.
Early on, frustration mounted, as much of initial cleanup and consolidation work — including toxic le dust removal and structural fortifications — h to be covered by smaller donations, mainly collected by Notre Dame charitable foundations in United States and France.

dramatic pledges also sparked an international debate, with critics questioning wher donors were motivated by desire for legacy more than by a commitment to preserving France's cultural heritage.

As monument races to its Dec. 8 reopening, last week held a poignant moment for Paris. In a powerful prelude to Notre Dame's return, norrn belfry — partially destroyed in blaze — saw its eight newly restored bells peal for first time since 2019, ir resonance carrying across city.