Marianne edition of 7th-15th April Le Patrimoine topic (potential for IRP)

Marianne is a souverainiste weekly magazine that focuses on defending France’s place in the world and challenging anything—or anyone—that threatens to undermine the country’s prestige. This latest edition concentrates on le patrimoine architectural and criticises the disproportionate amount of money spent on prestigious projects in Paris compared to what is allocated to the regions.

A key example is the fact that Emmanuel Macron would like to see €4 million spent on new, modern stained-glass windows for Notre-Dame de Paris, replacing those by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. With all due respect to the artist who designed the prototypes, such additions are far from essential—even as a modern contribution to the building—when an entire wing of the Château de Chambord is deteriorating due to climate change and would greatly benefit from that funding.

In many ways, the State has created its own burden by taking responsibility for the upkeep of tens of thousands of churches, châteaux, and other historic landmarks—far more than it can realistically maintain. Stéphane Bern, the renowned presenter specialising in royal and historical heritage, oversees the Heritage Lottery, which allocates hundreds of thousands of euros each year to selected projects. Yet the question remains: why is the situation so critical?

Historic buildings attract vast numbers of visitors—often far more than heavily subsidised sectors of the cultural industry—yet they receive only around €1 billion annually. Local mayors, particularly in rural areas, are increasingly frustrated, as they struggle to secure the funds required for restoration, even with the support of large numbers of volunteers. Climate change is exacerbating the problem, causing subsidence (as seen at Chambord) and increasingly unpredictable flooding.

The Fondation du patrimoine, modelled on the UK’s National Trust, pursues similar goals but has not yet achieved the impact it deserves. It is important to remember that France is much larger than the UK and has far more communities—many with medieval heritage—that they wish to preserve.

One can only hope that pressure from stakeholders in the provinces will encourage policymakers in Paris to decentralise funding and curb spending on high-profile presidential projects, such as the proposed new underground space beneath the Louvre Museum or the underused Cité internationale de la langue française at Villers-Cotterêts.