Pontoise (Val-d’Oise). Here, there is no national steering or dedicated ministerial budget. In Pontoise, the Saint-Maclou cathedral is one of those which does not come under the control of the State, but of the municipality. It is therefore up to the City to carry out the ambitious restoration plan for the building. Preliminary project validated by the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (Drac) Île-de-France, tender commission and selection of companies in February: the first phase of the project is coming to fruition now that the budget of 1.8 million euros has been secured. In April, consolidation work will begin under the supervision of architect Pierre Bortolussi, who had already carried out the diagnosis of the building.
Scheduled to extend over nearly four years, this first phase will first focus on the restoration of the bell tower and the northern gutter in order to improve rainwater management, before focusing on the rehabilitation of the roofs and facades. To eliminate deposits without altering the stone, targeted cleaning will be carried out with a laser and using compresses. “ We work first on the upper parts of the cathedral since they are structural, they are those which ensure its general balance”explains Stéphanie Von Euw, the mayor of Pontoise. “ For sixty years, no comprehensive program has been undertaken on the cathedral. It is a necessary restoration, even if the urgent repairs have already been carried out”she adds. And for good reason, the City has been increasing the number of small interventions since 2004, both on the square, the facades, the staircase and the stained glass windows. In 2018, the roofs and frames were redone after a fire hit the bell tower. In 2023, violent storms flooded the building, causing significant damage inside. A ridge was then temporarily reinstalled, and the damaged works placed for restoration.
A complete and planned restoration
Now, the municipality wants to shift into higher gear. “We made the decision to carry out the most complete restoration possible, in a sequenced manner, rather than constantly intervening in small steps”specifies Stéphanie Von Euw. It is therefore planned, in a second phase, to thoroughly restore the interior of the cathedral, without interrupting religious and tourist activity. Particular attention will be paid to the vaults and pillars, the most degraded parts, but also to the interior masonry, the restoration of the sculpted and painted decorations, the stained glass windows, the organ… Without forgetting the redevelopment of the surroundings of the building, which will complete this program of around ten years. The total cost of the project is estimated at 16 million euros. “We will advance at the rate of 2 million euros per year, with City-State co-financing”says Stéphanie Von Euw. Subsidies from the Region, the Department, fundraising via the Heritage Foundation and recourse to patronage will complete this financial package.
