Historic Crabos Island in France receives Funding Boost for Restoration
Saint-Sever, France – A notable financial lifeline has been thrown to the ongoing restoration of Crabos Island, a site steeped in French history, thanks to a grant from the Heritage Mission safeguarding endangered heritage, spearheaded by Stéphane Bern. The announcement, made on September 1st, will see the island benefit from between €100,000 and €300,000 in funding, with the exact amount to be confirmed in December.
The island, acquired by the town of Saint-Sever in 2022, has a rich and varied past. Originally the site of a mansion belonging to the Barbotan family, it transitioned into a boarding school for young girls run by the Ursulines around 1804, with subsequent additions of a wing and chapel. the 20th century saw a dramatic shift as industrialist Abel crabos purchased the land, transforming it into a processing plant, adding distinctive metal sheeting and office spaces.
“It’s a great surprise,” stated Arnaud tauzin, mayor of Saint-Sever. “It will allow us to go even further in the restoration of the Crabos island.”
The funding will be sourced from the eighth edition of the heritage lottery game, were proceeds from scratch card and draw games are dedicated to preserving at-risk heritage sites across France.
Alongside the lottery funding, the town is actively pursuing additional support through a public donation drive. As of September 5th, the campaign has raised €1,850 towards a target of €80,000 by march 31, 2026.
Architect Gildas Aulnette, leading the rehabilitation project for the firm Perrot and Richard, highlighted the complex history of the site, using aerial photography to illustrate the evolution of the island’s structures. He detailed the layers of history visible in the architecture, from the original mansion to the industrial additions.
The restoration project also prioritizes safety, with ongoing work to secure the site and prevent further deterioration.
Keywords: france, Heritage, Restoration, Crabos Island, Saint-Sever, Stéphane Bern, Heritage Lottery, Ancient Site, Architecture, Funding, Tourism, Cultural preservation.
