Brigitte Macron endorsed an “erect phallus with golden balls” as the new spire for Notre Dame Cathedral, claims France’s former culture minister

Brigitte Macron proposed an “upright phallus with golden balls” as the new spire for Notre Dame in Paris, says the former culture minister.

Roselyne Bachelot (76) told in her memoirs how she was shocked when the first lady revealed her bold plans for the iconic monument over lunch.

After a fire destroyed the iconic Gothic cathedral in 2019, Emmanuel Macron held an international competition to redesign the spire and roof.

However, this led to a heated argument, with some wanting the 850-year-old building identically restored to its former glory, while others wanted a modern design.

Bachelot, who was fired by Macron last year, rejected the modernist proposals, which include a carbon fiber roof covered in gold leaf, a greenhouse, an open ceiling and a roof made entirely of stained glass.

The former minister said in her new book 682 Days, which describes her tenure, that the Elysee under Macron’s leadership was pushing for bizarre new plans, which she tried to reject.

She said: “I will not forget the first meeting of the National Commission for Architecture and Heritage, where I confirmed on July 9 that the tower of Notre Dame must be built identically to respect the Venice Charter.

“When I returned to Rue de Valois (Ministry of Culture), the staff was under pressure: the Elysée dreams of an “architectural gesture” and accuses me of doing what I want. Well, it won’t be the last time.

“I do not regret this disobedience when, a few days later, during lunch with Brigitte Macron, she showed me a project depicting a kind of upright phallus, the base of which is surrounded by golden balls.”

After a fire destroyed the iconic Gothic cathedral in 2019, Emmanuel Macron held an international competition to redesign the spire and roof

The cathedral is pictured on December 29 as the rebuilding of Paris’ iconic landmark continues

Finally, the National Assembly decided that the restoration “must preserve the historical, artistic and architectural importance of the monument”.

The cathedral’s tower was actually a later addition to the building, added in the 19th century to replace the original, which had been weakened and bent by the wind.

Officials want the memorial to be open to the public again by December 2024, with the restoration to be fully completed the following year.

Michel Picaud, president of the charity Friends of Notre Dame de Paris, said last month: “The work is going very well.

“A decision has been made to restore the cathedral to the condition it was in before the fire and… the schedule appears to be very firm.”

Roselyne Bachelot (photo second from left) told in her memoirs how shocked she was when the first lady revealed her daring plans

The cathedral’s tower was actually a later addition to the building, added in the 19th century to replace the original, which had been weakened and bent by the wind

Construction of the roof and spire will begin this year.

Located on the Île de la Cité in the middle of the Seine, Notre-Dame is a medieval Catholic cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary, built between 1163 and 1260 under the Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully.

Besides being a symbol of Paris, the limestone-faced building is one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, beautiful with its colorful rose windows and rear vault and buttresses.

The wooden roof and spire were leveled after the fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical fault or a lit cigarette butt associated with ongoing renovations, broke out in the attic on the evening of 15 April 2019.

Fifteen hours later the fire was extinguished. Although there were no fatalities in the accident, three rescue workers were injured and some artworks inside suffered smoke damage.

Fortunately, the cathedral’s stone ceiling – over which the leaded roof stood – protected much of the interior, and the altar, rose windows and organ of Notre-Dame survived little to no damage.