Heritage: popular mobilization rewarded
It’s a amazing church, in Saint-Gengoux-le-National (Saône-et-Loire), which tops the five winners of the popular patronage prize. This prize is awarded by the Heritage Foundation with the support of a private sponsor, the Profine France company and whose jury Pilgrim has been participating for several years. The spire of Saint-Gengoux was designed in the 19th century by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, the architect of Notre-Dame de Paris, and is connected to the clock tower by a wooden footbridge.
But above all, the prize rewards the great mobilization of the municipality, the association of Friends of the Church of Saint-Gengoux-le-National and, of course, the residents who carry out an ambitious restoration project. The jury was thus sensitive to the continuous work of collecting donations renewed over several years and which has already mobilized more than 200 donors for a cumulative amount of almost €100,000… On the other hand, initiatives towards the public have been multiplied, with notably the organization of a vintage car rally for the benefit of the restoration. All this clearly shows the dynamism of this small town of 1000 inhabitants and its commitment to heritage.
In Meung-sur-Loire in Loiret, this is the restoration and enhancement project of theat Porte d’Amont, the fortified main gate of the ancient ramparts which caught the attention of the jury. Originality: not only do stone cutting workshops and archaeological visits take place in the building itself, but a personalized slate dedication campaign was carried out for donors. Result: nearly 300 donations coming mainly from residents.
A magnificent industrial building was also distinguished: the Étel ice house (Morbihan), built in 1946, but still following the Art Deco style. It was used to make the ice needed to preserve tuna. The municipality wants to make it a place for exhibitions and festive gatherings even though this monument is located in the heart of the port. The jury was sensitive to the very serious and tenacious way in which the awareness and media campaign is being carried out to ensure the future of the building.
To complete this list which also reflects the diversity of French heritage, a moving example of “small heritage” was awarded: the chalet de la Médille (Hautes-Alpes), one of the last alpine chalets; and finally, the church of the Sacred Heart of Balata in Fort-de-France (Martinique)an emblematic building of the island, a true local “Montmartre”.
Finally, until March 5, the public is invited to vote in order to decide between two buildings: the splendid Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul church in Bredons (Cantal), one of the most remarkable in Auvergne which should be noted. redo the framework and the roof, or the charterhouse of Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez (Loire) whose choir and 18th century paintings need restoration.
The prices, which range between €3,000 and €10,000, will be used to supplement the restoration budget. And each time, it is the mobilization of residents, motivated associations, their tips for supporting the collections organized by the Heritage Foundation and their original ideas for visits, or leisure activities (hikes, concerts, etc.) which have retained the attention of the jury.