The photos of the damage had struck people’s minds. Part of the frame and roof flew away during the passage of storm Ciaran, on the night of November 1 to 2, 2023. The Yaudet chapel, in Ploulec'h, was “the most historic and heritage building hit in Brittany. “When I saw the first photos, I didn’t feel good. It’s our heritage, we take that to heart,” confides the mayor of Ploulec’h, Sylvain Camus, who was returning from vacation.
The insurance company quickly released the first funds; the “hole” was covered and a temporary framework was built; the altarpiece of the reclining virgin was dismantled and put away. “Since the end of 2023, the situation has been blocked,” confides the mayor. It is inextricable. » To unblock it, the councilor expects a lot from the protection of the building: registration or classification as Historic Monuments. A request was made to this effect in September 2024 to the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (Drac) of Brittany; “a process that could take a year instead of three, if it is handled urgently,” specifies the elected official.
Do not endanger the listed altarpiece
What options should the municipality of Ploulec'h choose? Repair only the damage caused by the storm (costs largely covered by insurance) or completely redo the frame and roof? All without endangering the altarpiece of the reclining virgin – listed – whose restoration is imminent.
“During the summer of 2024, we brought in a heritage-oriented carpenter (Ateliers Le Ber, in Sizun) to carry out a study of the damaged part and the non-disaster part,” relates Sylvain Camus. The findings showed that there were structural defects that were not related to the storm, but to the age of the building. » The town of 1,650 inhabitants commissioned the Dinan heritage architecture firm, Archaeb, to look at what is the “most reasonable solution at the financial and technical levels”.
If we know that the building can be listed as a Historic Monument, we can begin to consider more comprehensive work on the framework.
No reopening in 2025
“I am unable to tell you what the next step will be regarding the work and the reopening of the Yaudet chapel will not be for 2025,” confides the mayor, who hopes to see things more clearly at the end of 2024 or the beginning 2025. “If we know that the building can be listed as a Historic Monument, we can start to consider more comprehensive work on the framework,” he analyzes. Whatever the final decision, financial support from foundations and heritage associations as well as donations from individuals will be more than necessary for the restoration of the building.
