The building in Bourbon-Lancy now appears like an empty shell ready to receive its new cladding for its new function: to house the centre for social and cultural activities. However, on the façade in the Rue des Enclos leading to the community centre, there are two elements that date back to the building’s original use and are the source of much discussion.
First of all, there is the statue of Saint-Louis placed in its niche and the cross that surmounts it on the ridge of the building.
The Cercle Saint-Louis, before becoming a venue, was originally a private school. Some former Bourbons remember attending it in their younger years. However, in order to comply with the charter of secularism, which allows it to receive subsidies, the municipality was forced to decide to remove these two elements.
Opposition politician Marcel Stanio was angry about this. In his opinion, the statue was part of the history of the building.
The mayor, Édith Gueugneau, justified the decision: “It is the French authority CAF that demands this and I cannot do without a subsidy of €400,000.” It was therefore unanimously decided to remove the statue and cross and donate it to the parish of Saint-Jean l’Évangéliste. It is to be placed in the courtyard of the parish hall. […] Le Journal de Saône-et-Loire