Tower is height of fashion after closure of Notre-dame

A PARISIAN monument considered to be one of the most dangerous attractions to visit in the French capital is enjoying a new lease of life thanks to the Notre-dame Cathedral fire.

Hundreds of British tourists are among those on a waiting list to climb the 300 slippery stone steps of Saintjacques, which has now become the city’s tallest bell tower with public access.

It affords magnificent views over Paris – but because of the dangers involved, only 17 visitors can go up at a time. Potential dangers include an arduous climb with limited handrails, a gloomy and claustrophobic spiral staircase and a sheer drop of 171ft (52m) from a small zinc roof space.

“There are great risks involved, and that’s why every party has to be accompanied by a security manager,” said tour manager Laure Benacin.

“Despite this, there is huge interest in the tower, with inquiries coming from all over the world, including many from Britain.”

Ms Benacin said the flamboyant Gothic tower was now the perfect alternative to a visit to Notre-dame, whose 226ft (69m) twin towers are currently under reconstruction.

Ariel Weil, the mayor of the city’s 4th arrondissement, said he was hugely proud to have both buildings in his district, practically facing each other across the River Seine.

During a visit to the Saint-jacques tower with The Telegraph, Mr Weil said: “It is of course not as famous as Notre Dame, but nevertheless a wonderful historic monument.”

The tower, a stop on the traditional pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, was closed to the public for most of its long history.

It was part of the Saint-jacques-dela-boucherie church that was first mentioned by 12th century chroniclers before being demolished by revolutionaries in 1797. It was finally granted a licence for visitors in 2013 after a renovation project.

The basilica of Sacré-coeur at Montmartre, the Pompidou Centre and La Défense business district can all be seen from the top of the landmark, which is open until Nov 4.

Children under 10 are not allowed to climb the tower nor vertigo sufferers.