selected sites in Normandy

On the occasion of the 2024 edition of the Grand Loto du Patrimoine, five sites in Normandy have been selected to benefit from the financial spin-offs of the Mission du Patrimoine games. Thanks to this money, these places will be able to begin renovations.

The Heritage Mission, led by Stéphane Bern, has revealed the 100 sites that will benefit from the income from the Heritage Lottery for their renovations. Among the winners are five Norman sites, located in Eure, Orne, Seine-Maritime, Calvados and Manche.

Launched in 2018 by Emmanuel Macron, the Heritage Mission aims to safeguard monuments in danger. Each year, it partners with the Française des Jeux for an operation involving scratch cards worth 15 euros.

“The amount of the levy on bets normally going to the State, i.e. €1.83 per ticket purchased, will be paid to the Heritage Foundation,” the mission indicates in a press release.

A contemporary church of William the Conqueror

In Calvados, the church of the Holy Trinity, in Falaise, is one of the lucky ones chosen for this 2024 edition. A formidable witness to the medieval history of the department, the building unfortunately bears the traces of the bombings of the Second World War which hit the city in 1944.

“Due to lack of resources, the Trinity Church was unable to benefit from proper restoration after the bombings of 1944,” underlines the Heritage Mission. In addition to the damage caused by the war, the passage of time has eroded many stone facings and sculptures. In addition, water infiltration and the proliferation of vegetation accelerate the degradation process.

In addition to its historical value, the building has an emotional significance for the city. During the bombings of 1944, 300 people escaped death by taking shelter within the grounds of the religious building. “In 2024, we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy. The restoration of this building will be particularly symbolic,” the Mission emphasizes. The work is estimated at 20,000 euros.

A former ribbon factory in Saint-Aubin-de-Scellon

In Eure, the Heritage Mission has chosen to select the old ribbon factory of Saint-Aubin-de-Scellon. This building, dating from the 19th century, was a factory of ribbons woven on wooden looms, characteristic of the industrial activity in the region.

This factory is located on a 1.7 hectare estate comprising a mansion from the same period, restored by the current owners, and two agricultural buildings (barns) dating from the beginning of the 20th century, one of which is currently being restored.

The owners of the factory want to transform the building into a reception area with possible accommodation. For the moment, the site is in a “very degraded” state due to water infiltration. The renovation work is estimated at 170,000 euros.

A Roman-Byzantine style church in Granville

In Granville, in the Manche department, it is the Saint-Paul church that was selected among the winners of the Heritage Lottery. This Romano-Byzantine style building has stood proudly in the town since the end of the 19th century. The building has suffered the ravages of time which have seriously damaged the concrete of the dome.

“The danger also concerns the dilapidated state of the floors of the front part of the façade, damaged by corrosion, deterioration of the timber framing following infiltrations in the roof, corrosion of metal reinforcements in the large attic,” the mission states.

With the income generated through the Heritage Lottery, the church should be renovated and transformed into “a friendly, versatile place, able to host cultural, leisure and catering activities”.

An intact clos-masure threatened by a marl pit

In the list of winners of this year 2024, there is also a clos-masure located in Bolleville in Seine-Maritime. The foundations of this traditional Norman farm from the 18th century are threatened by a cavity of 15,000 m3 which was used for the extraction of marl in the 20th century.

“Rapid intervention is necessary to fill in the marl pit, in order to safeguard the integrity of the enclosure and ensure public safety,” the mission emphasizes.

Once renovated, the co-owners of the site would like to welcome the association La Patte Normande, in order to convert part of the clos-masure into a shelter for abandoned animals. The place could also accommodate people with disabilities through a partnership with a structure in the neighboring town of Bolbec.

Save the abbey of the Trappist Order

The latest winner from Normandy is none other than the Abbey of La Trappe, located in Soligny-la-Trappe, in Orne. The Trappist order, who have occupied the site for 900 years, wants to open the monastery to the public.

“Restoration and complete redeployment of buildings, visitor routes, interpretation center, restoration of Brother Marie-Bernard’s sculpture workshop, are all works that are necessary and urgent, while preserving spaces dedicated to community life,” writes the Heritage Foundation.

Work to rehabilitate the site is expected to begin in 2025 and be completed by the end of 2029.