Reims (Marne). A roof detached for several tens of meters, and a frame exposed. In Reims, the state of the Saint-Remi basilica worries local residents and the municipality. Roof wear is nothing new. For some time now, diagnostics have drawn up an alarming observation of its fragility, which multiple water infiltrations have gradually worsened. “ In recent years, I have repeatedly contacted the Ministry of Culture and the decentralized state services, via the regional directorate of Cultural Affairs (Drac), on these issues, recalling the fragilities of the building as well as the damage which threatens it”, defends Arnaud Robinet, the mayor of Reims. But what was supposed to remain under control deteriorated quickly, in just a few dozen days. At the end of April, a gap fifty to sixty centimeters wide was formed, causing a significant drop in the roof in the middle of the nave.
According to initial hypotheses, this structural worsening would have been caused by the extreme temperature variations experienced in recent years. The roof, made of slate and lead, had been hastily rebuilt after the bombings of the First World War. “This phenomenon is explained by the breakage of certain hooks which hold part of the roof of the building. This damage creates a risk of roof elements falling, both from the nave and from the side of the flying buttresses of the basilica, as well as from the cloister of the Saint-Remi Museum. specifies the municipality, owner of the building. As a security measure, the nave and the cloister were closed while the transepts were rearranged to continue to welcome worshipers and visitors. Two diagnostics were then launched to define the operations to be carried out and the response times. The security work, which began on May 26, should continue until June 12, followed by a reopening of the building immediately.
A larger program
However, these operations constitute only the first part of a much larger program. For four years, the building has been the subject of a few occasional interventions, a far cry from the large-scale work that is now essential. “It is the City of Reims, of course, which will bear the cost of these somewhat exceptional repairs, of the order of several hundred thousand euros, underlines Arnaud Robinet, in comments relayed by France Info. But this is only part of the total cost of the restoration of the basilica, which we estimate at approximately 65 million euros. And of course we are going to ask the State, because the abbey of Saint-Remi is an important place for the City, but also for the history of France. » The mayor also intends to appeal to the Region, the Department and patronage, hoping for strong mobilization, given the historical value of this 12th century architectural masterpiece, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1991.
