4 ms·

Since 1905 [1], though philosophically this law indeed takes its roots in the French revolution. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1905_French_law_on_the_Sep

• alistairSH 7y ago
  Interestingly, Notre Dame's own Wikipedia entry states it was nationalized in 1789, with several laws passed since reaffirming it's status as owned by the state and (what I interpret to mean) loaned back to the Church. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_de_Paris#Ownership https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_de_Paris#Ownership
  • throwaway744678 7y ago
    Indeed I stand corrected. Interestingly, (most) ancient cathedral are owned by the state, while (most) other churches are owned by the cities. I made a bit of research, and while the sources are somewhat contradictory - the article linked as a source by Wikipedia contradicts what is stated on Wikipedia! - my understanding is that you are correct: - nationalized in 1789 - the Concordat (Napoleon, 1801) confirms the state ownership, and usage is granted to the Church - a few laws in the 19th century states the state pays for the maintenance of the building - law in 1905 confirms (again) state ownership, usage assigned to the Church