“Everyone knows it”, “There is nothing new”: is the Saint-Jacques church in danger after its temporary closure following an “incident”?

Over the centuries, the Saint-Jacques church has always been one of the emblematic heritage buildings of the Uval city. The origins of the old medieval building date back to the 12th century.

It has been the subject of work several times in the past: notably in the 16th and 19th centuries. Before getting a new health in February 2021, following a renovation project carried out for an amount of 100,000 euros. Enough to ensure site security?

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“Rock falls”, “partial collapse of the roof”, “facades”…: the Saint-Jacques de Moissac church temporarily closed to the public

The recent “technical incident” which occurred on Monday November 4, “following the collapse of a foot of the arch in the south aisle”, would seem to prove the opposite. In any case, this is what associations and elected officials who know the place well indicate.

While the “reopening of the site will only take place at the end of the work carried out on the recommendation of the diagnostic study”, informs the Moissagaise municipality, without indicating a date (1).

Several alerts on the poor condition of the building

The local Telethon branch had to organize a concert in the building, a few days after the “incident”, before having to relocate to the Saint-Benoit church.

But for the young president of the association and former candidate for the legislative elections (on the Horizons list), Jules Duffaut, the state of the Saint-Jacques church is beyond doubt: “It was closed for years. Everyone knows that the church does not hold up. We are lucky that the incident did not happen during the concert. »

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Accustomed to taking advantage of the premises during the summer period for these numerous cultural events, the association L'Art s'invite à Moissac also draws up an alarming observation of the state of the building.

“Water leaks through the arcades, pieces of stone falling near such a sculpture…” confirms Anne Jardel, volunteer within the Moissagaise association. Before adding: “There is nothing new. Several times this summer, there have been incidents. »

A tourist passing through the Uval city had even alerted the editorial staff during the sunny days about the dilapidation of the place, describing the holding of demonstrations in this context as “unacceptable”.

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“If the music is too loud, it can cause plates to fall. And in winter, it's too cold and wet to organize events,” warns Anne Jardel, who is considering relocating the association's activities to… the old courthouse. Another Moissagais heritage building under rehabilitation.

“Partially restored, it remains in great danger”

On social networks, the municipal opposition elected official and former candidate in the last European elections on the list of Raphaël Glucksmann (Place publique), Marie Cavalié, was indignant after the announcement of the temporary closure of the building: “L The Saint-Jacques church, partially restored, remains in great danger because the reinforcement work has not been done. The patch did not last long and will have cost a whopping 100,000 euros with a grand reopening of the building (in February 2021), further weakening the building. »

Last year, she took part in a heritage visit, she explained to us: “The pillar is crumbling, the quality of the stone is poor. Installation of a metal bar… Precision work did not resolve the problems. »

Before stepping up to the plate one last time: “Reopening a building without managing the structural problems is a bit reckless. Moissac is still classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. »