The heritage lottery, imagined by Stéphane Bern, aims to raise funds to maintain historic monuments in danger
© Francois Mori/AP/SIPA
The French, and especially young people, “go less to churches”noted with concern Stéphane Bern. Invited for a long question-and-answer session with readers of Dauphiné Libéré – Vaucluse Matin, Stéphane Bern took a pessimistic look at French society. Indeed, the presenter of History Secrets believes “that there is a dechristianization of France” et “that the French are less attached to religion, go to churches less”.
A situation that he judges “scary” and the direct consequence of which is the endangerment of French heritage. “As long as you are not interested in heritage, how are we going to maintain it tomorrow? »asks Stéphane Bern, recalling that many municipal churches are also historical monuments. “I have the feeling of living in a country in ruins. People are desperate. They love their village, they love their heritage. And they see that nothing is moving forward”he adds.
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According to him, too many municipalities do not have the means to maintain their religious monuments. SO, “They appeal to the State, but the State does not respond. And so they turn to me”criticizes the historian, revealing that it sometimes does not happen “to sleep” because of this. “I’m doing everything I can while I’m alive, but after a while the baton will have to be passed on”squeaks Stéphane Bern, at the origin of the Heritage Loto, launched in 2018. A system which has enabled the safeguarding of 956 historic sites in danger and the raising of more than 280 million euros.
