I condemn in the strongest possible terms the acts of vandalism and desecration perpetrated in the church of Saint-Louis in Fontainebleau on January 10.
I particularly deplore the destruction and disappearance of several objects of worship and art, many of which were classified or inscribed as historic monuments.
The disappearance of a statue of the Virgin with the Child, the statue of Our Lady of Franchard, from the 14th century, in the chapel of Franchard, is a great loss to our heritage. The altarpieces, the altar of the eighteenth century, of very fine workmanship, and the bay above them were heavily destroyed or degraded. The church has been touched in other places and silverware has also disappeared.
Desecration of a place of worship is unjustifiable. To harm these objects is also to attack art and history. These works, charged with meaning and beauty, must be preserved and transmitted to future generations.
My ministry as well as all heritage professionals, whose high qualification is recognized, will be mobilized to contribute to the restoration of the church and the works it housed.
I express his full support for the city of Fontainebleau and its inhabitants, as well as for the parish of Saint-Louis de Fontainebleau.