The Heritage Foundation supports sixteen projects in Tarn-et-Garonne

The Heritage Foundation announced that it had mobilized 16.7 million euros to support religious heritage in French villages and small towns. This amount includes a specific allocation of 6.6 million euros, which will be allocated to the restoration of 100 local churches, nicknamed “little Notre-Dame”. Among the buildings benefiting from this initiative, we find the Saint-Symphorien church in Puylaroque in Tarn-et-Garonne. This 15th century religious building^e century, former rural priory of the diocese of Cahors, is aiming to raise 40,000 euros to finance its restoration. To date, only 14% of the total amount has been raised, and there are still 1,500 days to reach this donation goal.

75% tax reduction for religious heritage collection

This first symbolic endowment from the Foundation arrives as a major event for French heritage is being prepared, with the upcoming reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. The restoration of this emblematic monument was entirely financed thanks to public generosity, demonstrating citizens' attachment to historical and religious heritage. Founded in 1996, the Heritage Foundation is a private and independent non-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of French heritage. Thanks to a delegation from the State, the Foundation has the power to award a special label which allows owners engaged in work to benefit from significant tax deductions, of up to 75% in the context of labeled collections for the religious heritage. The Foundation also organizes crowdfunding campaigns, corporate sponsorship operations, and receives part of the revenue from the heritage lottery, which supports its preservation efforts.

In the Tarn-et-Garonne department, the Foundation currently supports 16 heritage preservation projects, for which collection campaigns are underway. The majority of these initiatives concern religious heritage, with historic churches and chapels to be restored. Although some of these renovation projects have achieved their collection objectives, calls for donations remain open in order to cover the expenses incurred by local authorities or conservation associations, which invest time and resources in the protection of these monuments. To consult the complete list of supported projects and participate with a donation, go to the official website of the Heritage Foundation: www.fondation-patrimoine.org.

At Beaupuy

The restoration of the Saint-Pierre de Beaupuy chapel, a religious monument made of raw earth, benefited from 8,000 euros in aid thanks to the Heritage Loto. The Heritage Foundation hopes to collect 15,000 euros in donations by May 15, 2026.

In Bessens

The project aims to globally restore this public place in the hamlet of Lapeyrière, deconsecrated since 2012 (roof, facades, carpentry, structural work and secondary work, etc.) in order to reconvert it into a cultural space. Formerly an annex of Dieupentale until 1790, the church of Lapeyrière was burned in July 1628 during the Wars of Religion by Saint-Michel, Protestant governor of Montauban. It was rebuilt after 1629. To date, €153,760 has been collected (including €90,000 from patronage). The donation campaign continues until June 21, 2027.

In Bouillac

The objective is to restore the choir of the abbey church, the emblem of Bouillac. Supported by the Stephane Bern Mission, this project has already collected 225,000 euros thanks to the Heritage Loto. The Heritage Foundation's current collection has practically reached 16,000 euros and is targeting €80,000 by 1^is March 2030. Major work must be undertaken in response to the settling of the vaults, vertical and oblique cracks causing areas of fragility.

To Escatalens

The help of donors is essential in order to support the inhabitants and the municipality in the restoration of the decorations of the Escatalens church. Hidden under whitewash in 1958, the intervention of specialist restorers revealed numerous decorations and paintings of rare quality. To carry out the work to restore the decorations, the municipality needs €114,000. With less than 200 days until the end of the collection, 37% of the objective has been achieved. This restoration project is part of the mission undertaken by the community for several years to promote the safeguarding and enhancement of municipal heritage.

In Lauzerte

The altarpiece was made from the mid-17th century^e century and underwent some alterations in the 18th^e. The altarpiece is the work of the Montalbanese sculptor Jean Dussaut who created it between 1645 and 1651. It is today very damaged and its state of disrepair even constitutes a danger to public safety. The collection of donations has just started: €40,000 is hoped for by 2029.

In Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val

The church of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val has a remarkable Puget choir organ, both for its construction and its history. Built by the Puget house in 1887 for the international exhibition in Toulouse where he received the diploma of honor, the instrument arrived in Saint-Antonin seven years later and was inaugurated the same year. Even if the organ has found its place, the donation campaign continues until July 2026. 11,000 euros in donations to date and the ambition to reach €40,000.

In Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Grave

The observation of the sanitary state of the building made it possible to identify two major problems: cracks appear above the large arcades and windows, as well as a weakening of all the masonry. The first Saint-Victor church was built in the 13th century.^e century, but disappeared during the Wars of Religion. It was rebuilt around 1685. Its porch and octagonal bell tower are in the Toulouse style. The objective of the collection organized by the Heritage Foundation is to raise €25,000 by June 2027.

In Saint-Paul-d'Espis

The church was built in the 11th^e century in cut stone and covered by canal tile roofs. Ravaged by two fires in the 15th century^e then in the 18th century, the church was rebuilt twice, but over time it deteriorated. It was only in 1951 that it regained its splendor thanks to the illustrious Abbot Pierre Fauveau. The sudden worsening of a crack forces the municipality to install emergency shoring. A donation campaign is open.