PARIS: Experts say the devastating Notre Dame fire was a warning bell that all of Europe needs to hear since so many monuments and palaces across the continent are in need of better upkeep.
They cite a near-endless list of fires at historical sites in Europe and wonder why officials so often don't learn before it's too late.
Juan Antonio Herraez of Spain's Cultural Heritage institute wants officials to shift their focus to prevention and regular maintenance instead of only reacting to disasters.
The problem is that prevention is practically invisible, but grand restorations can be a boon for the politicians cutting the ribbon.
Notre Dame donations now stand at over 1 billion euros ($1.12 billion) — or about three years of France's national restoration budget.