by Lorenzo Rossi
According to a detailed investigation by the periodical La Croix, every year in France, about ten churches are deconsecrated and sold, often transformed into homes, hotels or commercial buildings. Others, however, undergo more unusual conversions, becoming libraries, bars or even Protestant temples. However, these transformations do not occur without creating tensions among residents, many of whom remain deeply attached to the symbols represented by their bell towers.
A prime example is the old Ursuline chapel in Aire-sur-l’Adour, in the Landes, now transformed into a gîte that welcomes pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. This phenomenon is not limited to small communities: even larger cities are participating in this trend, as demonstrated by the case of the Saint-Nicaise church in Rouen, which has become the “largest church-brewery in the world”, thanks to an agreement between the municipality and a local brewery.
A new use to save the heritage
In 2019, Rouen launched a call for proposals to find a new use for the disused Gothic building. In 2020, the church was deconsecrated and, two years later, it was classified as a historical monument. The Ragnar brewery, run by Pierre-Marie Soulat, transformed the building into a meeting and leisure place for the local community. However, the name “church brewery” has sparked some controversy among the clergy. Soulat has made it clear that the brewery intends to respect the Christian history of the site, saying: “We are aware of the verticality of the site and we want to contribute to the dissemination of its historical and spiritual heritage.”
The site, which has so far only been temporarily opened for the spring-summer season, will undergo major renovations and is expected to open permanently in 2028.
Reconversions still limited in France
Despite some successful examples, conversions of deconsecrated churches remain rare in France, unlike in Nordic or Anglo-Saxon countries, where this practice is more widespread. “Every year, between ten and fifteen municipal or diocesan churches are put up for sale,” explains Édouard de Lamaze, president of the Office du patrimoine religieux. However, there has been an increase in the sale of private religious buildings belonging to congregations.
According to Church data, between 1905 and 2015, 255 churches were deconsecrated or sold, of which 140 were municipal and 115 diocesan, a figure that represents only 0.07% of France’s religious heritage.
Profane uses and controversies
Some transformations, however, have caused a stir. In Angers, for example, a church has been converted into a disco, while in Rennes an old Poor Clares church has been transformed into a fitness club. Its provocative slogan, “Burn calories in hell,” has provoked strong reactions among Christian communities.
Father Gautier Mornas, head of the department of sacred art at the French Episcopal Conference, interviewed by La Croix, specified that the majority of these profane uses concern chapels located in urban centers of great commercial value, often sold by religious congregations that are now aging and forced to give up their properties.
In conclusion, while the practice of selling and repurposing deconsecrated churches in France is still marginal, it raises important questions about the future of religious heritage and the need to find solutions that respect both spiritual history and contemporary needs.