Brigitte Macron endorsed a “phallus with golden balls” as the new spire for Notre Dame Cathedral

Brigitte Macron proposed a “phallus with golden balls” as the new spire for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the former culture minister claimed.

Roselyne Bachelot, 76, said in her memoir how she was shocked when the first lady unveiled her daring plans for the landmark over lunch.

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

However, this sparked a heated argument, with some wanting the 850-year-old building to be restored to its original state, while others want a modern design.

Brigitte Macron proposed a “phallus with golden balls” as the new spire for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the former culture minister claimed

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

The former minister said of her tenure in her new book 682 Days that under Macron’s directives, the Elysee was pushing for outlandish new plans, which she was trying to refute.

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

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

“I do not regret this disobedience when, a few days later, over lunch with Brigitte Macron, she shows me a project crowned by a sort of erect phallus, the base of which is surrounded by golden spheres.”

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

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

In the end, the National Assembly decided that the restoration must “preserve the historical, artistic and architectural interest of the monument”.

The cathedral spire was in fact a later addition to the building, added in the 19th century to replace the original, weakened and warped by the wind.

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

Michel Picaud, president of the charity Friends of Notre Dame de Paris, said last month: “Work is progressing 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 solid.”

Roselyne Bachelot (pictured second left) told in her memoir how she was shocked when the First Lady unveiled her daring plans

The cathedral spire was in fact a later addition to the building, added in the 19th century to replace the original, weakened and warped by the wind

Construction of the roof and spire will start this year.

Standing 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 from 1163 to 1260 under the Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sully.

The limestone-faced building is not only considered a symbol of Paris, but also one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, resplendent with its colorful rose windows and pioneering vaults and buttresses.

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

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

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