PARIS: Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral went up in flames on Monday , a blaze that devastated the landmark, destroying its wood-beamed roof and collapsing the iconic spire, a searing loss for Paris and France.
President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to rebuild the Gothic masterpiece within five years, and less than 48 hours since the fire began, tycoons, companies, local authorities and individuals have stepped forward with large donations.
Stephane Bern, who is in charge of overseeing the funds raised, said the total was approaching 900 million euros.
Here are the main pledges made so far:
LVMH
French billionaire businessman Bernard Arnault’s family and his LVMH luxury goods group said they would donate 200 million euros to help repair the cathedral.
KERING
Francois Henri Pinault, who heads the Kering luxury goods company, pledged 100 million euros through his Artemis holding.
L’OREAL
French luxury and cosmetics group L’Oreal, along with the Bettencourt Meyer family and the Bettencourt Schueller foundation, will donate 200 million euros in total.
AIR FRANCE-KLM
Air France offered free transportation for all official participants in Notre-Dame reconstruction.
TOTAL
French oil company Total said it will donate 100 million euros.
AXA
French insurer Axa pledged 10 million euros.
BNP
French bank BNP pledged 20 million euros.
FIMALAC
Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere pledged 10 million euros.
VINCI
Construction group Vinci called on all building companies in France to join forces to repair the cathedral in an “industry-wide skills sponsorship drive”.
BOUYGUES
Martin Bouygues and his brother Olivier, who oversee a telecoms to construction conglomerate, pledged to donate 10 million euros. Bouygues group separately said it was ready to join the “skills sponsorship” drive.
SAINT-GOBAIN
French construction materials group Saint-Gobain said it is ready to provide its expertise for the renovation, notably of the stained-glass windows.
CAISSE DES DEPOTS
CEO Eric Lombard said the state-controlled bank will offer oak trees to rebuild the wood framework of the cathedral.
JCDECAUX
French outdoor advertising group pledged 20 million euros.
SOCIETE GENERALE
Societe Generate bank pledged 10 million euros.
CASINO
The French retailer said its Franprix and Monoprix stores would implement price-rounding operations to support foundations helping with repairs.
APPLE
CEO Tim Cook said on Twitter Apple would donate an unspecified sum to rebuilding efforts.
WALT DISNEY COMPANY
Robert Iger, the chairman and chief executive of Disney, said the entertainment company was donating $5 million.
CITY OF PARIS
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the city would donate 50 million euros.
ILE-DE-FRANCE AUTHORITY
Valerie Pecresse, head of the Ile de France regional authority that includes Paris, pledged 10 million euros.
AUVERGNE-RHONE ALPES REGION
Local government said it would donate 2 million euros.
EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
The central bank said it would make a donation but did not specify the amount.
CAP GEMINI
IT services group said it would donate 1 million euros.
Source from: The Peninsula