Despite six months of fighting, the Saint-Catherine-de-Sienne school in Saint-Lunaire (Ille-et-Vilaine) permanently closed its doors on July 16, 2023, after 116 years of existence. Students and teachers have since found a place in neighboring schools and the parents of the students have made up their minds. What remains is the future of this large stone building, ideally located in the heart of the village, a stone’s throw from the church, shops and the Sunday market.
First return in 1909
The land of approximately 1,000 m2owned by Alphonse Joulain, was initially dedicated to vegetable gardening. In 1908, Father Hamon, vicar of Saint-Lunaire, decided to form an association which would build the current building. He chose Numa Chaste as his architect. Among the parishioners who financed the construction were the Touchet, Gondon, de la Diriais and Olivier families.
Completed in 1908, the building was inaugurated in November and the first school year was held in 1909 with two classes. It was then a girls’ school, the boys being on their side at the Saint-Yves school. Marthe Joulain, nurse at the Red Cross during the Second World War, heir to the land, died in 1941 and her sister Yvonne Joulain became the owner. She decided to donate it to the bishopric in 1972.
Last school celebration at Sainte-Catherine-de-Sienne school, in July 2023. Ouest-France
What project?
-Even if its walls no longer resonate with the cries of children, the building is not empty. The Rennes association Bienvenue welcomes a refugee family in one of the wings and another part is rented. This situation is not destined to be lasting.
During the Municipal Council of October 17, 2024, Loïc de Courlon, member of the minority and descendant of the Joulain family, expressed his dismay. What will become of this building, which is of major interest in the town center? Lunarians feel a strong attachment to their heritage and to the school.
Mayor Michel Penhouët sent a letter to Monseigneur Pierre d’Ornellas, who mandated his treasurer Régis Rougevin-Bâville. The situation was summarized at the December council meeting. The Diadème association had proposed a project and started to negotiate with the bishopric. But Dinard offered the Villa Eugénie with a long lease, more interesting because it was larger and closer. We must now look for another association.
The municipality could possibly be interested in this property, it is awaiting the estimate of the areas. For a specific public utility project? The mayor mentioned the creation of a working group with the participation of the advisory committee. For its part, the bishopric declared that it would be able to make the difference with a private investor.
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