As the fire that devastated Notre-Dame was extinguished and attention turned to rebuilding the Paris landmark, rival billionaire families emerged as protagonists in the fundraising effort.
The Pinaults, owners of luxury conglomerate Kering, pledged €100m from family holding company Artemis on Monday evening before the fire was out. “Faced with such a tragedy, everyone wishes to restore life to this jewel of our heritage,” said François-Henri Pinault, chairman and chief executive.
Yesterday, the Arnault family, owner of LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group by revenues, offered double — €200m — for the restoration effort. “The Arnault family and the LVMH Group, in solidarity with this national tragedy, are associated with the reconstruction of this extraordinary cathedral, symbol of France, its heritage and its unity,” the family said.