For two years, pieces of charcuterie have been matured in the towers. An exercise which must finance repair work. But heritage defenders are alarmed by the possible consequences on structures.
Ham has been hanging from the top of Europe’s tallest cathedral for two years. This funny phrase resonated in the ears of Rachida Dati, after a regional representative of the architects of buildings in France recently requested their withdrawal, we learn in the columns of the daily The Mountain .
But then where does this story come from? In 2022, Abbot Philippe Boyer, then rector of Saint-Flour Cathedral, must finance the restoration of the building’s organ. Small problem: the organ belongs to the municipality which has no money and the State, owner of the building, does not have any either. Father Boyer, accustomed to unusual activities in the towers of his cathedral – he had already had hives installed on the roof to produce honey – is looking forward to new adventures. Here is the arrival of around fifty wrapped hams, the result of a partnership with the local cooperative, Altitude.
A ham served at the Élysée
The pig legs were first blessed during a ceremony, then hoisted into the north tower of the cathedral, where they have been hanging from the beams of an attic for two years. Saint Anthony, patron saint of charcutiers, watches over this ham, the value of which is around 150 euros each. Because the place is “ ideal for drying », reports to the newspaper The World Didier Boussaroque, president of the cooperative. At 892 meters above sea level, “ the winds of Planèze and those of Margeride » allows you to refine a “ produces a premium ”, intended to compete with “ heavy industrial artillery », he adds.
The idea might have seemed absurd, but it turns out that the operation was more than successful, and above all it allowed Father Boyer to restore the cathedral organ. Florus Solatium hams, from their name, are served in the greatest starred restaurants in the region, and pieces are even found in the kitchens of the Élysée. Real stars!
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Perhaps Rachida Dati has already tasted Florus Solatium? She will have at least heard about it. “ Ms. Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture, took note of the file on the maturing of IGP Auvergne hams in the tower of the Saint-Flour cathedral », It is written in a press release from the ministry on Wednesday October 30.
The regional representative of architects and buildings of France, at the origin of the request for withdrawal, criticizes the ham for damaging the building with its fat and posing safety problems in the event of fire. How to answer this? The cathedral of Saint-Flour boasts of being “ close to rural areas » and to want “ highlight a local subsidiary ». « We find the fundamentals of the great abbeys which have always worked with the agricultural world », congratulates the Monde Father Boyer. And now we aspire to put an end to this collaboration.
« The terms [doivent permettre]in complete safety and with respect for heritage conservation, to renew this experiment in curing ham in the cathedral.
Rachida Data
The Minister of Culture therefore hopes that a “ new experiment is implemented, at the end of which a transparent and contradictory assessment will be drawn up, which will take into account all fire safety conditions “. She also asks the prefect of Cantal, Philippe Loos – only appointed six days ago – to examine “ the modalities which would allow, in complete safety and while respecting the conservation of heritage, to renew this experiment in curing ham in the cathedral “. The government’s desire is therefore clear: to give Florus Solatium ham another chance.