Prince Albert II inaugurated three freshly restored historical buildings, which were damaged during Storm Alex, on 6 November 2024. The facade of Saint-Pons Church, the Presbytery of the Marie Commune and the bell tower of the of Saint-Michel Church in the commune of Venanson were inaugurated in the presence of the Hugues Moutouh, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Mayors of both communes.
Restoring the Saint-Pons Church
The parish church of Saint-Pons, dating from before the 16th century, represents major historical interest and heritage for Marie. With its unique sloping floor in grey slabs and its trompe l’oeil murals, it houses two paintings by Giovanni Rocca (dated 1644) and a magnificent polychrome statue of the Virgin in olive tree wood. This statue, dating from 1775, stands 1.6 metres tall, weighs over four hundred kilos and is carried in procession each year. In 2018, the Saint-Pons church underwent a major exterior and interior restoration (lime facade coatings, slate bell tower roof, zinc gutters) financed in part by more than 1,400 donors from France and abroad.
The violent downpours during Storm Alex in 2020 seriously damaged the coatings on the South facades and the balcony. These coatings were completely restored with lime, thanks to the patronage of the Principality of Monaco. The cost of the work amounted to more than €58,000 and 40% of it was covered by the Principality (€24,000 donation).
Bell tower of the Saint-Michel Church in Venanson
The bell tower of the Saint-Michel Church in Venanson was badly damaged by Storm Alex, causing the bells to ring no more. The church was built after a previous building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1645. It consists of a single nave, accessible from the North, under the square bell tower. Around the choir are side chapels. To the West is the old chapel of the brotherhood of the Black Penitents of the village. Inside the baroque-style church, visitors can discover numerous works of art, including a painting by Guillaume Planeta dating from 1645, an 18th century reliquary and a collection of procession crosses.
“Thanks to the support of the Principality of Monaco, an emergency intervention was able to be carried out in two stages to first replace the supports and the defective motorization systems of the bells, then to restore the lighting to the bell tower. The restoration work is now complete,” states a press release by the Prince’s Government.
Today, the ringing of the bells of Venanson can once again be heard throughout the village.
The cost of the work amounted to €23,000, which is entirely covered by the Principality of Monaco.
€3 million budget for restorations
During Storm Alex on 2 October 2020, several monuments of historical heritage were damaged in the Roya, Tinée, Vésubie and Moyen Var valleys.
“After providing valuable and direct assistance to the inhabitants of the valleys affected by the storm, the Principality of Monaco wished to commit to safeguarding the heritage of the disaster-stricken communes,” states a press release by the Prince’s Government.
In accordance with the wishes of Prince Albert II, the Prince’s Government and the Fondation du Patrimoine signed an agreement on 8 October 2021 which released a budget of three million euros for restoration and conservation of 30 projects in the Roya, Vésubie, Tinée and Moyen Var valleys. The Fondation du Patrimoine is responsible for the implementation, execution and support of the projects.
