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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