Heritage lottery plan unveiled

A special lottery to fund the preservation of France's cultural heritage has been unveiled by Culture Minister Françoise Nyssen.

Draws, with funds going towards the maintenance, renovation and upkeep of some of France's most beloved historical treasures, could take place on the day before European Heritage events.

The lottery, which still has to be approved by MPs will be presented as part of an amendment to the budget bill currently working its way through the Assembly.

National lottery operator Française des Jeux will also launch a scratchcard game to raise additional funds for restoration projects.

Buildings under the care of the Centre des Monuments Nationaux are among those set to benefit from the new funds, as will emergency restoration projects to be overseen by TV presenter Stéphane Bern who has been given the job of saving France's crumbling cultural heritage.

Read more: Visitors 'should pay to visit France's cathedrals' - Bern

Ms Nyssen also announced the creation of a €15million fund for the restoration of protected heritage in places with less than 2,000 inhabitants.

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