Eure-et-Loir: a legacy of 4 million euros to build a performance hall in the middle of the cultural desert

Hervé Buisson, the mayor of Courville-sur-Eure, still can’t believe it: “She was driving in a small Toyota Yaris. No one suspected that she had such a fortune. She also gave money to guide dogs and other associations,” says the elected official, who remembers the day when the notary presented him with the deceased’s testamentary provisions: “I left the office with head upside down. The friend, whom she had chosen as executor of her will, had nevertheless warned us that there would be something for the town. I expected 100,000 or 150,000 euros, never 4 million! »

Cinema, music school, accommodation for artists…

Due to the health crisis and cost overruns that are difficult to bear for this small local authority with an annual operating budget of 3 million euros, the project has fallen behind schedule. “We were ready to lower our ambitions. Fortunately, the community of communes Entre Beauce et Perche has taken over this 9 million euro project, which will bring influence to the entire territory,” he rejoices. The other beneficiaries of the legacy agreed to extend the deadline set by Christiane Tarride by two years.

The councilor hopes that this cultural complex, which will house a 320-seat performance hall, a cinema, the community music school and accommodation for artists in residence, will be delivered at the end of 2026 or at the beginning of the following year at later. “We have the land and appointed the project manager. A person responsible for programming has already been recruited. Nothing stands in the way of its construction,” assures Hervé Buisson.

Without this legacy, it was impossible, in his eyes, to imagine that “Courville-sur-Eure would one day inaugurate such a public facility”. In the town, the majority of residents share this feeling, “even if there are still voices raised to say that it is a poisoned chalice,” he admits. “But, to go see a show, until now you had to go to Chartres or Vernouillet. Around here, there was nothing.” This will soon no longer be the case.