Notre-Dame remains "
a symbol of our unity
" for the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, who will accompany President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday on the reconstruction site, two years to the day after the fire in the cathedral.
“
This cathedral lifts us up, whether we are a believer or not.
It remains a symbol of our unity.
It represents a landmark that has spanned the centuries, and the threat of its disappearance has raised awareness of our fragility,
”said, in an interview with
La Croix,
the elected socialist to explain the constant enthusiasm for the monument. disaster.
"
The testimonies continue to reach me from all over the world
», Affirms the mayor of the capital who recently received the American envoy for the climate John Kerry.
“
He immediately went to my office window to look at Notre-Dame.
"
Read also: Notre-Dame de Paris: redevelopment projects for the square and the surroundings
The day after the fire, Anne Hidalgo announced to AFP a contribution of 50 million euros from the City for the restoration of the cathedral.
But "
in agreement with the State
", according to her, this sum will finally be devoted to the redevelopment of the surroundings of the site, and in particular of the square, discussed and launched Thursday in the Council of Paris.
The architects will be chosen by competition at the end of a "
very broad consultation
" in which the diocese, the rector Patrick Chauvet, "
the Parisians, the French but also foreign visitors
" will take part, specifies the possible candidate for the presidential election.
“
Citizens will therefore be at the heart of the selection process for the winning team by a jury, in spring 2022,
” promises the mayor.
The timing will depend on the completion of work on the cathedral itself.
The first deputy Emmanuel Grégoire, in charge of town planning, told AFP his hope to start the redevelopment "
from 2024
".
