The people of Drômois and Ardéchois care about their heritage, and they prove it! On the three regional sites which have just been elected by the public to obtain aid from the Heritage Foundationtwo are in our departments: the Notre-Dame de Beauvert church in Sainte-Jallein Drôme, and Empurany Castlein Ardèche. They obtained first and third place respectively. With an abbey in Ain, these are the sites which obtained the most votes during the voting campaign which was held online from October 7 to 21.
Does this mean that the inhabitants of Drôme and Ardèche are mobilizing more for their heritage? “I wouldn’t say it exactly like that.” smiles Marie-Sophie Frignet, the delegate of the Heritage Foundation in Rhône-Alpes. “But what pleasantly surprised us was that it was the small towns that received the most votes” she continues, “opposite there was the Perret Tower in Grenoble, or the Gier aqueduct in Chaponost, which are more imposing buildings, in more important cities”. And to wonder: “solidarity and appropriation of heritage are perhaps more important in small villages rather than in cities. Mobilization is easier because we talk to each other more”.
15,000 euros for the church of Sainte-Jalle, 5,000 euros for the castle of Empurany
The church of Sainte-Jalle won first place in the competition, and 15,000 euros in aid. Mayor Marie-Noëlle Armand acknowledges her surprise, while welcoming it. “We tried to mobilize as many people as possible during the two weeks, we mobilized the entire Drôme for this prize!” Notre-Dame de Beauvert obtained approximately 3,850 votes out of 16,850. A huge figure for this village of 333 inhabitants! “We used all our contacts, and everyone followed us, especially the mayors of the sector” enthuses Marie-Noëlle Armand.
“Well, it’s true that it’s a drop in the ocean for the renovation of the church, since we have an estimate which puts the cost of the work at around 800,000 euros” admits the councilor, who obviously counts on the support of the Heritage Foundation but also on that of the DRAC. “But frankly, already 15,000 euros, we think it’s great!” she rejoices.
