Prefecture files complaint after French flag raised atop Rouen Cathedral
Authorities in Rouen filed a complaint after a French flag was illegally hoisted atop Notre-Dame Cathedral, marking the second such incident in recent months amid ongoing restoration work.
The flag was installed on Monday, May 25, atop the historic religious edifice, prompting an emergency response from specialized firefighters, according to Valeurs Actuelles. The Seine-Maritime prefecture announced it would press charges over the unauthorized climb.
Firefighters from the GRIMP unit—a reconnaissance and intervention group trained for hazardous environments—were deployed to remove the flag from the cathedral. Officials emphasized that climbing the structure is strictly prohibited, particularly as restoration work on the spire is currently underway.
The prefecture reminded the public that it is formally forbidden for any unauthorized person to climb the cathedral, especially given ongoing construction.
Second Incident Involves Serious Injury
The flag installation coincided with a separate dangerous incident on Sunday, May 26. A person attempting to scale the facade of the religious building fell from a height of eight meters and remains hospitalized, the prefecture confirmed. Authorities have not established any connection between the two events at this stage.
Repeat Offense at Rouen Cathedral
This marks the second time in recent months that a French flag has been raised atop Notre-Dame Cathedral in Rouen. A similar intrusion occurred in October 2025, which also resulted in a formal complaint filed by the prefecture.
The repeated unauthorized climbs have raised concerns about security at the cathedral, which is undergoing sensitive restoration work on its iconic spire.
With information from Valeurs Actuelles
