On June 15, 2015, the roof of Saint-Donatien Basilica was devastated by fire.
After six years of work, the building reopened its doors to parishioners on Sunday.
It was June 15, 2015. A fire broke out on the roof of the Saint-Donatien basilica then under repair.
The flames spread quickly and ended up ravaging much of this 19th century building.
A little more than six years after this event which marked the city of Nantes and French Christians, the basilica reopened its doors for the first time to the faithful this Sunday afternoon.
A mass, celebrated by the Bishop of Nantes, Mgr Laurent Percerou, has been held since 3.30 p.m.
Hundreds of faithful are present for this “long awaited” and “moving” moment.
The crowd is such that several dozen people were unable to enter.
The reopening was only possible after long and complex interventions.
We had to secure the building, remove the rubble, and then begin reconstruction.
Between 40 and 60 technicians were mobilized every day for five years.
A new frame has been put in place.
The stone facades have also been restored.
Open to Heritage Days
Beyond the parishioners, the public will be invited to rediscover the Saint-Donatien basilica during Heritage Days, on September 18 and 19.
Another spectacular fire has also recently marked the spirits in Nantes: that of the cathedral, which occurred on July 18, 2020. The origin of the fire was criminal.
A volunteer from the diocese confessed and was indicted.
He has since been suspected of having killed, on August 9, a priest who welcomed him in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre (Vendée).
Nantes
Nantes: Six years after the fire, the "extraordinary" site of the Saint-Donatien basilica is coming to an end
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Nantes