Ottrott (Bas-Rhin). “Such a project is a real logistical challenge! “, immediately recognizes Bertrand Fleck. The heritage architect, who supervises the restoration work carried out on Mont Sainte-Odile, measures the difficulties every day: “The journey to the summit is long, most of our vehicles cannot use the covered passage at the entrance building, some materials have to be hoisted using winches…” It is precisely the location of the site, perched at an altitude of 763 meters on a promontory in the Vosges, which makes its restoration as complex as it is necessary. Exposed to wind and bad weather, the famous Alsatian sanctuary is today beginning the restoration of two of its buildings: the Chapel of the Angels and the Chapel of Tears. “These chapels are located to the north of the site, on a rocky spur beaten by the winds, explains Bertrand Fleck. They also experience large temperature differences, between sunny sides and those which are not.. By the simple action of bad weather and the passage of time, they have deteriorated both outside and inside. »
The Chapel of the Angels at Mont Sainte-Odile.
Each year, some 560,000 visitors go to the mountain to discover the convent founded in the 8th century by Saint Odile, patroness of Alsace. But their journey stops at the doors of these two exterior chapels, closed since the Covid-19 health crisis for safety reasons, following the fall of a stone slab due to humidity. At the same time, a study was launched to assess the stability of the rocks of the mountain, one of whose sections had already collapsed in the 19th century. It appears that the rock, without presenting any danger today, nevertheless requires consolidation and security work.
Mosaic tiles from the 1930s found!
In light of these findings, the project was staggered in order of priority. At the end of 2025, the first operations focused on the lead dome of the 18th century sacristy, the infiltration of which damaged the framework and interior furniture. Now, a new phase is opening with the restoration of the Chapel of Tears, which, like its neighbor, was built in the 11th century before being profoundly altered over the centuries. “In the 19th centurye century, the chapels were covered with murals, which were later replaced by mosaics made in the 1930s and inspired by the art of Ravenna”, specifies priest Régis Laulé, rector of the Mont Sainte-Odile sanctuary. Cycles representing the nine choirs of Angels for one, the repentance of Saint Odile for the other, all today presenting gaps to be filled and defective repairs to be resumed. “Where we were lucky was that we found in the attic of the church, somewhat by chance, wooden boxes filled with mosaic tiles used during the construction work in the 1930s! “, rejoices Bertrand Fleck. More complex, however, will be the replacement of certain paving panels, which will require finding pieces with patterns and shades similar to those of the original.
The Chapel of Tears at Mont Sainte-Odile.
To successfully complete these two years of work, a budget of 3.5 million euros was mobilized. An envelope that the diocese of Strasbourg – owner of Mont Sainte-Odile – completes thanks to the support of the State, the Grand-Est Region, the European Community of Alsace, the Heritage Foundation, but also patrons such as the Axa Foundation and Crédit Mutuel. “The biggest in terms of cost is the consolidation of the rock. We feel that in certain places the existing guardrails are unwelding under the action of the movement of the rock. underlines Bertrand Fleck. The intervention therefore plans to replace these guardrails which are no longer up to standard, to restore the locksmith elements and stone walls, and above all to fill the cracks and cavities in the rock to prevent water from accumulating there. “A long-term job”, reminds the architect, especially since this project alone will not be enough to restore the entire site. “Almost all the roof slopes would also need to be repaired. There are work needs all over the site…”
