The French government has decided not to abandon the construction of the new Paris Philharmonic, which will cost a record €387 million, despite the financial crisis, writes The Guardian .

The authorities have already curtailed several ambitious cultural projects, guided by a policy of "tightening their belts", but the construction of the huge, aluminum-clad building has already progressed so far that officials see no reason to refuse.

A new concert hall with 2,400 seats was supposed to open in La Villette Park (in the north-west of Paris, not far from Perifirik Boulevard - Gazeta.Ru) back in 2012. However, due to the fact that construction was suspended several times, the commissioning date was pushed back to 2015.

It is noted that state auditors and many politicians were dissatisfied with the government’s decision to continue the construction of the new Philharmonic. Since 2007, when the project by the famous French architect Jean Nouvel was accepted, its cost, initially estimated at €197 million, has actually doubled. If the construction of the new Philharmonic is finally completed, it will become the most expensive concert hall in the world.

Allowing yourself such luxury goes against the cost-cutting policy laid down in the country's 2013 budget. According to the document, spending should be reduced by €10 billion. In addition, in order to replenish the treasury and reduce the budget deficit, the socialist government planned to introduce next year a tax of 75% on income over €1 million, proposed by President Francois Hollande .

These plans angered many of France's rich people and led to their flight from the country. Among others, the richest man in France, head of LMVH, 63-year-old Bernard Arnault , and actor Gerard Depardieu, announced their intention to become a Belgian citizen .

On Saturday, France's Constitutional Council reversed the introduction of a 75% luxury tax.

Belt-tightening France decided not to abandon the construction of the most expensive philharmonic in the world - Gazeta.Ru