“There were only two of this style in France (...). It was an exceptional work ” : such is the cry from the heart of Vincent Mevel, the mayor of Larchant (Seine-et-Marne), where a Stations of the Cross made up of 14 paintings as well as a statue of Christ on the Cross were stolen, in the Saint-Mathurin basilica, reports Le Parisien this Sunday, August 30. This Stations of the Cross, restored six years ago, was part of the 1905 inventory and therefore belonged to the municipality.
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It was on returning from vacation this Saturday that the volunteer of the pastoral team, responsible for opening and closing the basilica, discovered this large-scale theft. No offense was found in this basilica, which means that the theft could have taken place between August 20 and the night of August 28 to 29. The damage is estimated between 25,000 and 30,000 euros. “The thieves came for the works of art because they also stole the cartridges which explain the scenes , notes the Parisian, Vincent Mevel, the mayor (SE). They are cheeky because they are spent during the day. "
This basilica, part of which is in ruins, a true jewel of Gothic art in the region, had been marked by another large-scale theft 30 years earlier: a pietà, which has never been found since.
The gendarmerie calls for witnesses and calls people who have seen something to join the gendarmerie brigade of Chapelle-la-Reine at 01.64.24.30.47.