The small town of Saint-Malon-sur-Mel, west of Rennes, has found its dome, its spire and its bells. An exceptional operation, very spectacular.

It is 2 pm, Tuesday, November 6, in Saint-Malon-sur-Mel, west of Rennes. The steeple of the church has just found its place after a few weeks of renovation.

Since the early morning, many people are hurrying behind the barriers.

Where are the bells?

The operation is exceptional. She started early.

Around 10:30, everything is ready, or almost. The problem is that the bells have not arrived ... They also parts in renovation, they should have been back the day before to be reassembled first with the belfry.

Around the construction site, the atmosphere is a little tense. "The weather can deteriorate. We do not have too much time to lose, " says Henri Aufray, head of the lifting company Simavil. If there is too much wind, the operation will not be able to take place. Fortunately, the news is reassuring. The bells are on the road. They arrive a little before noon.

Father Jean-Luc Guillotel, parish priest of Saint-Méen du Garun, is there to bless them. "Since they do not ring, they are missing, " he says, asking for volunteers to be their godfathers and godmothers.

Nathan, Mado, Erman and Aziliz are godfathers and godmothers of the two bells of Saint-Maon. | WEST FRANCE

A few minutes in the air

After long and careful preparations, the dome and arrow set, weighing almost 30 tonnes, is finally lifted. Suspended from the cable of the crane, he is carried in the air to rest his tower quietly. The maneuver is spectacular. The operation only lasts a few minutes.

The dome and the spire were lifted by a powerful crane. | WEST FRANCE

Carpenters adjust the installation of the dome. The mayor, Gilles Le métayer, is relieved. The church has its steeple again. And his bells ...

But we will have to wait a bit to hear them ring ... "I do not think it will be possible Sunday, November 11, regrets the elected. There are still small things to do.

The installation of the dome is supervised by the carpenters. | WEST FRANCE

The arrow is still bent ... on the right side

The work that has been done has allowed to renovate and strengthen the bell tower. "The structure has been renovated keeping the original structure , explains Rémi Couet, carpenter. The most difficult was to adapt to this old structure, including the repair of curves.

The skeleton of the dome and the spire, with the frame elements known as the encroix of Saint Andrew. | WEST FRANCE

Now, the bells are no longer supported by the frame but not the walls of the tower.

Successful operation ... | WEST FRANCE

The cost of this project is 400 000 €, 80% financed by the State, the Region and the Department.

After the dome and the boom were put in place, the support beams were lowered. | WEST FRANCE

Small precision that has nothing of a detail, the arrow always bends. And on the bright side, facing the prevailing winds ...