In a significant development for cultural preservation, Stéphane Bern presented on March 19, 2025, some of the 18 emblematic sites selected for the 2025 Loto du patrimoine, a lottery initiative aimed at funding heritage restoration across France. During the announcement covered live on BFMTV, Bern, acting as an ambassador for the mission to safeguard at-risk cultural sites, introduced several notable locations that highlight the urgency of historical preservation efforts in the country.
The pont Valentré in Cahors (Lot) is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is suffering from severe degradation. With its seven piles, six arches, and three towers, the medieval bridge has been losing stones, making it imperative for restoration to ensure that locals can continue to utilize this vital structure in their daily commutes. "It needs to be restored so that the residents of Cahors can continue to enjoy and use it in their day-to-day journeys," Bern emphasized while detailing the bridge's condition.
Another highlighted site is the jardin serre de la Madone in Menton (Alpes-Maritimes), which is experiencing significant issues due to torrential rains in recent years. Created in the 1920s by Major Lawrence Waterbury Johnston, this garden requires restoration to once again welcome visitors. "I think it's important in the Mission Patrimoine that we also support gardens and greenhouses. This garden will reopen to the public once we restore and save it," Bern said.
The selection for the 2025 edition of Loto du patrimoine is extensive, featuring sites such as the phare du Petit Minou in Plouzané (Finistère), the maison-atelier de Jean Linard in Neuvy-Deux-Clochers (Cher), the citadelle de Saint-Florent in Haute-Corse, the ferme Nord de Zuydcoote in Nord, the théâtre de Tivoli in Clisson (Loire-Atlantique), and the ancienne prison de Petit-Canal in Guadeloupe. Each site selected must meet specific criteria, the foremost being the state of peril in which the site currently exists.
Bern has been a driving force behind this initiative, stressing that over €327 million has been raised since 2018 to assist with the restoration of 980 locations across France. Such financial support presents a lifeline to historic sites that may have been overlooked. "I will continue because if I stop, who will continue to lead this mission?" he pondered, underscoring his commitment to heritage preservation.
An additional highlight is the Château de Pont-Saint-Pierre in l'Eure, a 15th-century landmark that has been included in the 2025 Loto du patrimoine selection. This historical structure faces urgent structural issues due to decades of neglect, with a formal assessment declaring it in peril. The château served as a significant defensive fortress during the reign of William the Conqueror and has undergone a storied past, including destruction during the Hundred Years' War and reconstruction through royal funding from King Charles V of France.
The foundation overseeing these projects warns of immediate necessities such as waterproofing, rebuilding missing structures, stabilizing unstable areas, and safeguarding the roof. Thus far, they have raised €1,850 out of a target of €80,000, although the total estimated cost is significantly higher, at €1.6 million.
Stéphane Bern also mentioned that nearly 770 new applications were submitted for the 2025 Loto du patrimoine, showcasing the public's continuing interest in preserving France's cultural heritage. Since the first edition of the lottery in 2018, more than 980 sites have been rescued, including over 140 regional heritage projects and around 840 departmental sites.
According to Bern, the committee responsible for selecting the sites comprises representatives from the Fondation du patrimoine, FDJ United, and the French Ministry of Culture, which convenes twice a year to review site conditions and applications.
As the preservation mission progresses, Bern encourages citizens to report sites in distress on their website, announcing plans to reveal 100 new sites slated for support come August 2025. Through efforts like these, France continues to fight against cultural loss, fostering both historical integrity and contemporary community engagement.
