Notredame

LVMH and Kering Group chiefs pledge over £260m to Paris’s Notre Dame rebuild

The companies announced the news this morning as fire crews were beginning to get the blaze under control.

French billionaire Bernard Arnault, CEO at LVMH, has confirmed that he, his family and LVMH will pledge a total of £173m (€200m) to the rebuilding work needed after fire engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral, one of the most iconic and historic landmarks in Paris.

François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of the Kering group, which owns watchmakers Girard Perregaux, Ulysse Nardin and Gucci, will also give £86m (€100m) to the cause.

The companies announced the news yesterday morning as fire crews brought the blaze under control.

The fire broke out just after 4pm GMT on Monday afternoon and continued to burn with enough force to topple the famous spire.

However, despite initial concerns, emergency services have been able to save the cathedral’s famous bell towers.

LVMH, the conglomerate behind TAG Heuer, Zenith and Hublot, outlined French heritage as part of the importance to help with the rebuild.

The brand tweeted: “In the wake of this national tragedy, the Arnault family and the LVMH Group pledge their support for #NotreDame. They will donate a total of 200 million euros to the fund for reconstruction of this architectural work, which is an integral part of the history of France.”

Kering Group also used the Social Media platform as a means of announcing the news.

Mr Pinault wrote: “The Notre-Dame tragedy strikes all French people, as well as all those with spiritual values and those who care about history and culture.”

He added: “Faced with this tragedy, my father and I have decided to contribute to the funds needed to fully rebuild Notre Dame de Paris, in order to bring this jewel of our heritage back to life as soon as possible.”

The luxury giants joined the likes of Total, the French oil titan, in putting aside huge amounts of funds to help the cause.

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