An impressive scaffolding on this church in La Manche, a multi-million euro renovation

Catholic building of Gothic style erected from the XIII^e centurythe Notre-Dame church in Villedieu-les-Poêles (Manche) will undergomajor renovation work these coming months.

Completely rebuilt in the 15th century^e century after the Hundred Years' War, then partially destroyed during a fire in the 17th century^e centurythe last major renovation dates back to the 19th^e century.

Interview with Philippe Lemaître, mayor of Villedieu-les-Poêles-Rouffigny

Arriving in the town of Villedieu-les-Poêles, the image speaks for itself. An impressive iron cage surrounds the church. When did this work begin?

The installation of the scaffolding began two months ago. And it has only just been completed and it is indeed quite impressive. The construction site will begin with the upper part of the building, almost 49 meters high, up to the level of the lightning rod and the rooster. Moreover, this emblem will be restored or replaced, we do not know yet.

How will the work take place?

Three phases will be necessary. Firstly, the roofing and the framework of the transepts and the bell tower will be reviewed by June 2025. Then will come the turn of the nave for the rest of the year, then the choir at the beginning of 2026. Then, even if the timetable is not yet defined for this last part, a repair of the interior of the church will complete this renovation.

A global renovation, which has a cost. How much is it and what assistance is available to you?

Today, the cost excluding taxes is around 2.5 million euros. A significant amount, that's for sure. For the first phase of the work, costed at 486,000 euros, the remainder payable by the municipality is 250,000 euros. For the other two phases, we are still waiting for subsidies, in particular from the Normandy Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs. They have already responded for the premiere.

For a small town, work of this nature weighs heavily on the budget. Is it important to maintain these religious buildings, particularly for the city of copper which houses ancestral know-how in the manufacture of church bells in France and around the world?

It's been a long time since a major renovation took place. We had noticed water infiltration for several years. It became necessary to act. Note that our commune, now including Rouffigny, is made up of three other churches. Fortunately, the volunteers of the Association for the Protection of the Churches of Saint-Pierre du Tronchet and Saultchevreuil have been working for many years to maintain them.

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