In Gironde, the restoration of the church of Castillon-la-Bataille, listed as a historic monument, has been dragging on for ten years

Le Figaro Bordeaux

In Castillon-la-Bataille, since the first appraisal of the village church in 2012, almost no work has been undertaken. Listed as a historic monument since 1925, the religious building entrusted to the patronage of Saint-Symphorien is nevertheless leaking. “I am not complaining against anyone, but it is a fact: the promise of work in this church is the equivalent in your profession of a chestnut tree (article which discusses a subject that comes up every year, Editor’s note)»immediately entrusts Father Éric Schirck to the Figaro. This priest of 17 bell towers is saddened to see the main church of his parish, where mass is celebrated every Sunday, in this state. “When there is heavy rain, we can no longer go to the baptistery where the plaster falls. There was a beautiful painting on the wall which fell to pieces and in the sacristy, it is a torrent which pours when it rains”describes the man of the Church without animosity.

A situation of which the mayor of the town, Jacques Breillat, is well aware: the file has been on his desk since his first mandate, in 2014, and the community financed 14,000 euros of work on the roof this summer to install a patch. But to truly restore the Saint-Symphorien church, more than 3.1 million euros including tax will have to be spent. Expenditures already partly included in the municipality's multi-year plan. The first phase of work, which aims to put this historical heritage “out of water”, amounts to 454,605 ​​euros. It was voted on by the municipal council in June with the aim of starting construction in 2025. “It would not be correct to say that the town hall is disinterested in the work”insists the councilor. The latter hopes for funding from the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (Drac) for historical monuments, from the Region and the Department to realize them. To date, only Gironde has committed to paying 45,000 euros for the first announced tranche of the project.

Worry

Worried about the recent cut by the State in allocations to local authorities, the mayor of this village of 3,279 souls hopes that the Republic's response will be “meet the necessary investments”. And for good reason: the town of Castillon-la-Bataille, famous in Gironde for having been the scene of the last major battle of the Hundred Years' War, will hardly have the means otherwise. “If we were a rich municipality and we had three million euros, it would be settled”assures the elected official.

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A good will recognized by Jean-Claude Ducousso, the president of the Association of Friends of Saint-Symphorien. “This church is a historic monument and as such, it is normal that we become attached to it. It is also an important place of life in the town where 70% of burials are still religious. But raising funds from the faithful in this modest area is relatively difficult. We let the community take on its role”he indicates. However, its association is far from turning away from the preservation of this church since it is it which restores and maintains the goods it contains… Hoping that the work can really begin in 2025.