The abbey church of Saint-Pons has been closed to the public since 1999. Threatened by deterioration, it is currently undergoing a comprehensive restoration program to highlight the richness of its history and its Turin-inspired architecture.
Renovation work began in October 2016, with a planned reopening to the public in early 2019.
Currently, the work is mainly focused on the exterior of the church. The facade and the bell tower were first cleaned, before undertaking a conservation study of the original renderings. The bell towers and the pediment of the main facade are now free of scaffolding. The portico and the terrace are in the process of being restored.
The scaffolding has now been installed on the East facade. Three fire pots, architectural ornaments consisting of a stone vase used as an oil-based lantern, have just been restored.
Interior work has just begun, and the restoration of the decorations will start during the last quarter of 2017.
