
The jackpot for Clermont. The Heritage Foundation and the Stéphane Bern mission revealed, Thursday, December 19, the sums allocated to the 100 projects put forward as part of the Heritage Lottery 2024. Among which the “Bernanos” pavilion, located in Clermont. Of the 18.6 million that the State must pay to the Heritage Foundation, 300,000 euros must go to the renovation work on this site.
The building is located in the historic city center. It is a stone’s throw from the town hall and Saint-Samson Church. But also the houses that belonged to Roger Martin du Gard and that of Henri Breuil.
A 16th century building
Born in 1888 and died in 1948, Georges Bernanos lived for three years in Clermont, between 1927 and 1930. It is a private mansion dating from the 16th century, with a French garden, located between the town hall and Saint-Samson Church.
This residence, which has belonged to a private owner since 2011, is in need of restoration work. Particularly at the roof level. Added to this are problems with the facade. This requires emergency intervention after the fall of several stones. The exterior joinery also needs to be completely replaced. The roofs of the outbuildings must also be repaired to protect them from water.
A “paradoxical” personality
Georges Bernanos is considered a paradoxical author. A royalist, member of Action Française, and close friend of Maurras, sometimes anti-Semitic, he did not consider himself a nationalist. During the Spanish Civil War, he denounced Franco’s violence.
He also disavowed the Vichy Regime, supporting General de Gaulle, while speaking out against the purge at the Liberation. Georges Bernanos also refused to enter the government and the French Academy, as well as the Legion of Honor. This, several times.
And for 2025?
This 2024 allocation for the Bernanos residence is the only project in Oise put forward by the Bern mission. Of the 5 operations selected in Hauts-de-France, this is the one which will receive the most funds.
The Bern mission has already opened its call for applications for 2025. Candidates have until February 28, 2025 to submit their application.