The Heritage Mission, led by Stéphane Bern, deployed by the Heritage Foundation (and supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Française des Jeux), selected on Monday September 2, for the Alpes-Maritimes department, the restoration project of the Royal Fort of Sainte-Marguerite Islandone of the Lérins Islands opposite Cannes.
Signed Vauban, the fort will benefit from enhancement work, in particular the securing of the building and the ramparts. In the Var, the Loto du patrimoine team has decided to come to the aid of All Saints Church of Costebelle in Hyères.
What are the most emblematic sites of our two departments Who have benefited from these donations so far? A quick overview.
In the Var
- The Bargemon mill, in the Haut-Varreceived a check for the substantial amount in March 2024: 250.000 euros, acquired solely through the sale of “Mission patrimoine” scratch cards and Loto du patrimoine grids. Although not enough to complete the project, this sum will help the volunteers of the Moli d’Oli association to restore the site.
“The work to secure the workspace and renovate the roof are the most urgent. They will be carried out until 2025″, the association announced at the time. In the meantime, the mill will continue to receive and crush olives from November to January (it saw 109 tonnes pass through in 2023).
- The Michel Pacha Institute of Marine Biology in La Seyne-sur-Merhad been selected by the Heritage Mission for 2023. This rehabilitation project, led by the Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University (in collaboration with the City of La Seyne, the Metropolis, the Department, the Region and the University of Toulon), aims to transform the building into an international seminar center, in the scientific fields of nature and the environment.
A project valued at six million euros, three of which will be provided by the University. The Region has committed to the tune of 1.2 million, while TPM will provide 900,000 euros. As for the funds from the Mission Bern and the Heritage Lottery, it represents 400.000 euros. “They will make it possible to update the financing plan”explained Christophe Favrelle of the Heritage Foundation.
122 years after its inauguration, the Institute created by Michel Pacha – who was notably the general director of the Phares et Balises of the Ottoman Empire, where he made his fortune – should therefore also become a beacon whose light could radiate across the Seyne territory and even far beyond.
In the Alpes-Maritimes
- When Matisse left Nice to settle in Win In May 1943, he hoped to find a refuge. A den far from the threat of occupation by the Italian army hanging over the Regina, a shelter in case of bombardment of the coast. He would work for six years in the villa “Le Rêve”, known as “Villa Matisse”.
The house is still standing. But it seriously needs a helping hand to regain its former glory. In 2023, the site was the seventh in the department to win the favor of the “Mission Bern” jury. Located on Avenue Henri-Matisse, a few meters from the Rosary Chapel, it benefited from 185.000 euros.
The rehabilitation and enhancement of the villa will involve the creation of spaces with different functions. With, on level 1, the place to discover Matisse, and on level 2, the reception area for students of the Côte d’Azur University, a reception area, the opening of a shop, an exhibition space, an explanatory tour on the history and an exhibition of remains.
- The chapels of the White Penitents in La Brigue, became winners of the Heritage Lottery in 2021, ensuring both positive media coverage and funds to benefit from restoration work.
The two chapels were built in the first half of the 18th century. Both were built by the Brotherhood of the White Penitents – one of the oldest in the County of Nice. At that time, the penitents – lay people – played an important role in the village. By offering services and doing charity, especially to the most deprived.
The remainder of the funding for this major project, estimated at 1.3 million euros, should be divided as follows: 650,000 euros from the Drac, 200,000 euros from the Paca Region and 150,000 euros from the Department.
