After crossing around ten kilometers of forest, you arrive at Lesme, near Évreux, a small village of 700 souls which retains its rural character, its school and its local shops including the postal agency, the most open in France (Tuesday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.). It is also the hobby horse of the municipality, of its mayor Jean-Claude Surmulet, the dean of the department of Eure and of the association of the Foyer rural du Lesme chaired by Gérard Sarreau. And to maintain the dynamism of the village, they all rely on the values of the Republic, anchored even on the walls. Because 20 frescoes, including 7 giant ones, were painted there on this theme, making the town an open-air gallery.
“The first fresco, Liberty leading the peoplewas created in 2016 on a section of wall originally plastered by our local artist, Angélique Barré, a trompe-l'oeil specialist, on the occasion of the redesign of the town center, says Gérard Sarreau. It was our mayor who chose Eugène Delacroix. Right away, we decided to add a sentence with a Republican catchphrase. And, in all the works, hides the rooster, the emblem of France. It's fun for children. »
The themes of Equality, then Fraternity, followed, with the authorization of the family of the painter Maurice de Vlaminck, on other walls, all property of the commune. “One thing led to another, we arrived at twenty frescoes, including seven giant ones, always focused on love of the Republic. The last, produced by the graffiti artist Atomik, is on the Liberation of the village in 1944. In the evening everything is lit with low-consumption lamps”, adds the president of the Foyer rural du Lesme, the association “which carries the project and finances it thanks to the profits it makes during the year with its activities such as the everything fair or the hunting horn concert. Some frescoes are also donations from individuals. In no case is this paid for by taxpayer money! »
In 2025, a twenty-first fresco will be painted on the entire gable of the Maison de La Liberté. “Besides, I would like to launch it as a competition,” invites Gérard Sarreau. Anyone, including your readers, can make suggestions to us by email ([email protected]) on the theme of the French Republic. They will then be submitted to the municipal council! »
