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Saumur: Saint Pierre Church in a scrap-iron corset to prevent it from collapsing

Published on 07 April 2010 - Updated 22 December 2010
Cet article date d'il y a plus de 14 ans

160 tons of scaffolding have been erected to support Saint Pierre Church. After several weeks of work, the north tower and first bay of the nave have been secured and the risks of collapse are now almost zero.

 

Photo: Chantal Chauvry Lanche, Saumur
 
The work involved erecting a massive wooden framework, itself hemmed in by six steel bases anchored into concrete. At the same time, double scaffolding was put up inside and out to strengthen the walls, thereby "sandwiching" the stonework!
 
Marc Ganuchaud, the city's architect, envisages 5 million euros' worth of work to restore it. This is steep, admittedly, but less than complete demolition would cost - and that's without considering the aesthetic and financial loss for the city if this historical monument was to disappear.
 

Then, to preserve the church, it will be necessary to make the subsoil more stable. Two solutions are possible, either by injecting a hardening product - as has already been done for the castle - or by installing a system of support posts. Restoration of the monument will take several years.

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