BEFORE / AFTER
Since our last update, the restoration project for the church and bell tower of Collioure has progressed significantly. The masonry work on the exterior of the bell tower and the application of plaster to the church walls are complete. However, analyses are underway to assess the suitability of the plaster on the church walls, as the original plaster is not sufficiently resistant to humidity and sea winds. When the analyses will be conclusive, the repair work should resume as soon as conditions permit.
The work inside the bell tower is also finished, including masonry, carpentry, electrical work, and painting. A ventilation system has been installed to ensure drier air in the treasury and prevent damages of the artwork when they will be reinstalled. The bells have been restored, and a new system for their management has been implemented. A first series of tours of the tower was organized for groups of five people during the European Heritage Days.
The bells have been restored, and a new system for their management has been implemented. A first series of tours of the tower was organized for groups of five people during the European Heritage Days.
The restoration of the church’s eight side chapels (Chapelle du Rosaire, Chapelle Saint Jean, Chapelle du Christ, Chapelle Sainte Lucie, Chapelle du Saint Sacrement, Chapelle Saint Vincent, Chapelle Saint Eloi, and Chapelle Notre Dame de Lourdes was the centerpiece of the church’s interior restoration.
As a reminder, the main stages of chapel restoration are as follows: removal of the altarpiece,wainscoting, and side walls; masonry work on the chapel walls; application of a coating to remove salt and moisture from the chapel walls; restoration of the altarpieces in a specialized workshop in Toulon; and reinstallation of the altarpieces in the chapels. To limit the impact of moisture on the altarpieces and chapel walls, a ventilation system has been installed to ensure continuous air circulation between the chapel walls and the altarpieces. This system will ensure better preservation of the work that has been carried out.
The restoration work on the Chapelle Saint Jean, the Chapelle du Christ, and la Chapelle Sainte Lucie has been completed with the exception of the flooring, which will be installed as soon as the materials are received. The altarpieces from the five other chapels have now been removed and are currently in restoration workshops in Toulon. This has allowed the masonry work on these chapels to begin and the altarpieces to be reinstalled by the end of 2026.
However, the project is not yet complete, as the lighting in the chapels needs improvement, the badly deteriorated side walls of the nave need restoration, a high-quality sound system needs to be identified and installed, and other similar work is required.
