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Cathy Ryo
Published on
Dec 5 2024 at 8:46 p.m.
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This is an XXL restoration project which will begin in 2025 on one of the most visited historic monuments in Loire-Atlantique. Following the rules of the art, stonemasons, carpenters, stained glass workers, carpenters, will be at the bedside of this 1,000 year old lady who dominates the Guérande peninsula. The operation is large-scale, it will last 10 years. We'll explain it to you.
Signs of fragility
“We say to ourselves that we are going back for a century! », smiles the mayor of Guérande Nicolas Criaud while talking about the restoration project of the collegiate church, this monument which, like the salt marshes, makes the reputation of the medieval city.
But like any historic building, the collegiate church shows signs of fragility.
If in 2014 a first health diagnosis had not noted any urgent problems to be treated (apart from, among others, the sacristy and the stained glass windows of the south choir), 10 years later, damage was noted, the setting is less and less less waterproof.
The monument is certainly not in a state of major and imminent danger but it is considered “average”: zincwork out of order with water leaks, damaged interior coatings, roof to be renewed, cracks, humidity, access turret to the degraded bell tower, stained glass windows weakened by the oxidation of the ironwork and protective grilles.
“We have a duty to take care of it”
For two years, with the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (Drac) and Bâtiments de France, the City of Guérande worked on an in-depth restoration. The last project of this magnitude dates back to 1872, when the bell tower collapsed.
The collegiate church is not only a place of worship, it is a heritage, one of the first historic monuments classified in France by Prosper Mérimée in 1838. We have a duty to take care of it to pass it on to future generations.
This long restoration is also eagerly awaited from a historical and scientific point of view because of what it may reveal after the archaeological excavations of the building.
No closure of the college
The project, which promises to be complex due to the dimensions of the building, will take place in several phases and always on an occupied site. “It’s more complicated but there was no question of closing the collegiate church,” says the mayor. The division will be done by geographical area, each stage will last between 18 and 24 months. There will be no work in the summer.
Scaffolding from spring 2025
The first interventions will concern the enclosure and the roof, from April 2025 to 2027, on the northwest part and the western facade.
From spring 2025 the scaffolding will be installed. Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the Guérande municipal council validated the launch of the consultation of masonry, cut stone, wooden frames, roofing, wood carpentry, painting, stained glass companies. All must be certified to work on historic monuments. They will have to restore according to the rules of the art.
€10 million over 10 years
Cost of this first phase: €1.80 million. The entire restoration is estimated at €10 million, at least. A third of this budget is devoted to scaffolding. The operation is financed 40% by the State, 20% by the Pays de la Loire Region.
The remaining 40% is the responsibility of the municipality which can count on the Department of Loire-Atlantique (a little) and above all on the patronage of local companies or individuals via a subscription (launched soon) with the Heritage Foundation .
Since 2017, €5 million has been injected into the restoration of the Saint-Michel gate, the Sainte-Anne tower, the ramparts (operation still in progress).
A public meeting will be held on December 18, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Athanor cultural center in Guérande.
What about the school organ?
During the presentation, to the municipal council of Guérande, of the restoration of the collegiate church, the elected representative of the minority Catherine Bailhache was concerned about the deterioration of the organ.
The work may not be relevant for 10 years. If no maintenance is carried out on the organ, it will be in a very degraded condition. It urgently needs an overhaul. Otherwise, it will no longer be possible to give concerts.
Response from Mayor Nicolas Criaud:
The cost of restoring the organ has been estimated at €400,000, so you will have to be patient. The priority is the enclosed and covered area of the collegiate church. But we will study at least an interview.
The organ will be protected during the restoration work.
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