the Council of State rejects the municipality of La Flotte and orders the moving of the statue of the Virgin Mary

This is the end of a legal standoff of almost three years between the town hall and Libre Pension 17. The Council of State rejected on Wednesday October 18 the appeal of the municipality of La Flotte-en-Ré (Charente-Maritime ), who demanded a stay of execution for the removal of the statue of the Virgin, France Bleu La Rochelle learned.

The building was destroyed in 2020 by a motorist before being reproduced. The new statue of the Virgin Mary had been erected at the southern entrance to La Flotte. This decision sparked controversy, petitions and demonstrations. According to the Free Thought 17 association, it no longer had its place in public space.

The statue will be moved to private land

The Council of State examined the file two weeks ago. The Relais commune requested a stay of execution but the Council of State confirmed the case law on the matter.
The religious statue will have to be moved to a private location, in application of the law of separation of Churches and State in force since January 1, 1906. A law which prohibits any installation of religious symbols of any kind on public locations.

The municipality will respect the decision. “As soon as I receive notification, I will immediately take steps to have the statue removedconfirms the mayor of La Flotte, Jean-Paul Héraudeau, to France Bleu La Rochelle. I’m going to contact associations like the friends of Saint-Catherine church to ask them if they want me to place the statue on a place that belongs to them and then, I don’t want to hear any more about it.“, concludes the elected official.