” As we commonly say, I fell on my ass! »Christine Colas, President of the Association for the Safeguarding of Convent of the Visitation did not expect to hear such news when it was received by the mayor of La Flèche and his deputy in charge of culture on December 10, 2021. ” The elected officials told me that a study was underway for the construction of luxury housing in the old hospital. », She says. Fact, ” the community does not have the means to maintain a heritage which is in the process of deteriorating very importantly », Confirms Nadine Grelet-Certenais, mayor of La Flèche. ” The premises have been unoccupied for several years », She recalls. A company specializing in the renovation of old buildings is responsible for making proposals to the town hall.
“A desaster !”
The Association for the Safeguarding of the Convent of the Visitation of La Flèche fears that this former convent, built in the 17th century and listed since 1985 as a historical monument, has fallen into oblivion. Regularly throughout the year and especially during heritage days, volunteers from this association provide tours of the building and maintain the memory of this place which welcomed its first nuns from its construction in 1650. “For us, it’s a disaster. When the work begins, there will be no more visitors. In the long term, the history of the convent will emerge from the memory of La Flèche », Says Christine Colas. ” This whole story is fascinating. But it is over. We will only find it in books! », Laments the president of the Association for the safeguard of the convent.
“We took all the precautions”, assures the town hall
La Fléchoise is also worried about the future of medical and surgical instruments discovered in buildings that have become a Hôtel-Dieu at the beginning of the 19th century and kept on site. She wonders about the maintenance of the architectural heritage, in particular the oak staircase. The mayor of La Flèche is reassuring. ” The company carrying out the study met the architect of the Buildings of France who gave his approval. We took every precaution », Explains Nadine Grelet-Certenais. ” The elected officials know the cultural and historical dimension of this place. We are also very attached to it She insists. ” We are trying to find an articulation between the rehabilitation of this place and the maintenance of cultural and tourist activities. », Specifies Nadine-Grelet-Certenais.
An essential renovation
” I’m afraid the die is cast. As soon as there are owners, we will be forced to erase ourselves “, Anticipates, for her part, Christine Colas. Her anger barely digested, the president of the Association for the Safeguarding of the Convent of the Visitation, however, projects herself into the future and takes stock of things. ” We are happy that the old convent has been renovated, but disappointed that it is losing its heritage vocation », She sums up. ” The only positive side is that this cloister, the staircase and the walls will be restored. », Adds the manager who summoned an extraordinary general meeting on January 18, 2022. On the agenda: the possible dissolution of the association which expects to make its last visits to the Convent of the Visitation in 2022. The realization of the real estate project could be carried out ” during the mandate », Indicates the mayor of La Flèche. In other words, by 2026.