The Saint-Jean à la Porte latine church restored with care and respect
After a year of work, this iconic site in La Valette-du-Var reopened its doors to a large crowd.
On the restoration side, the program included repairing the electrical system, restoring the tabernacle, the stained glass windows and the frescoes, restoring the chandeliers, laying new stone and terracotta tiles, and applying new plaster to all the walls.
The Latin gate and its transom, both classified as Monuments historiques, are also undergoing a meticulous restoration.
And this Sunday, December 21, resembled those moments when a town reunites, recognizes itself, and comes together. The reopening of the Saint-Jean à la Porte latine church is one of them. A presence that says a lot about the attachment of the Valettois to their heritage, their history, and what connects us.
MOMENT OF SHARING “This morning, we did not only celebrate the end of a project. We rediscovered a church restored with high standards and respect: vaults, floors, frescoes, stained glass, pews, lighting, sound system, electrical installation, Latin gate, apse, facades. A meticulous and patient work, carried out by artisans and companies of great expertise,” said Thierry Albertini, the mayor of La Valette-du-Var.
As such, the reopening mass, celebrated by Monseigneur François Touvet, bishop of Fréjus-Toulon, marked the return of this place to its religious vocation.
The choir, quite simply breathtaking, made the church and the audience vibrate, bringing together and moving believers and non-believers alike in the same moment of sharing.
“I want to very sincerely thank our partners — the Département, the Métropole Toulon Provence Méditerranée, the DRAC, the Fondation du patrimoine — as well as the SPLM and the agents who followed this project, for their rigor, their professionalism, and their commitment,” added the first magistrate.
Thus, the fundraising campaign conducted with the Fondation du patrimoine mobilized 138 donors, some anonymous: a wonderful collective momentum, to which is added the faithful support of patrons, notably Les Gueules Cassées.
“I also want to salute the involvement of Hélène Hermary, my deputy in charge of heritage, for her attentive follow-up. A final word for Père Marius, parish priest, with whom we share a relationship of trust and respect, made of dialogue, listening, and the same attention paid to this place.
His guidance and words contributed greatly to the success of this ceremony.
This church belongs to the history of La Valette and to those who keep it alive,” Thierry Albertini continued.
COMPLETE PROGRAM “The call for donations launched to support the operation met with a great response.
More than €38,000 was raised out of the expected €50,000, including €17,000 from two top-ups from the Fondation du patrimoine. The project even aroused the interest of contributors from other regions, proof of the heritage influence of the building, parts of which date back to the Middle Ages,” welcomed the first magistrate.
Over the course of the work, two discoveries particularly marked the team. First of all, the graves of priest Martre — assassinated during the Révolution — and then that of the marquis d’Espinville. They were brought to light during the preparatory work.
Photos PRESSE AGENCE.