France calls on donors to return Paris's Notre Dame to glory With its twin towers, stained-glass windows, gargoyles and flying buttresses, Notre Dame de Paris is one of the most recognizable sites in the world, and one of the most visited in Europe. Victor Hugo immortalized its Gothic beauty in his iconic novel, but behind its glorious façade, the cathedral is starting to crumble - and the €2 million yearly maintenance budget will barely make a dent. To finance the urgent repairs, Notre Dame is turning to donors, both in France and across the pond.