In an extraordinary act of generosity, a 91-year-old French pensioner has donated his entire £750,000 inheritance to save the historic church in his home village from potential demolition.
A Legacy Gift to Preserve History
Raymond Landy, who lives in a nursing home, received the sum – equivalent to around €1 million – following the death of his brother in 2022. Rather than using the money for himself, he made the stunning decision to gift it all to the church in La Chapelle-sur-Aveyron, a village of just over 600 inhabitants in the Loiret region south of Paris.
This area held profound significance for Raymond. He explained to Franceinfo: “I was born here, baptised here, had my first communion here. I've always lived in La Chapelle.” He and his brother had worked together on the family farm, making his connection to the place and its church deeply personal.
The Heart of the Village Saved
The mayor of the village, Christian Chevalier, emphasised the church's central role, stating: “We are a tiny village of 640 inhabitants, so our church is our only asset. It is not listed, but it is the heart of the village, and everyone cares about it.” Without Raymond Landy's monumental donation, the building's future was uncertain.
The funds will enable a complete restoration project, managed by architect Antoine Leriche. The work, which began last month, will be carried out in one concentrated phase—a rarity for such projects. It includes lifting the bell tower to replace its slates, a full roof removal, and restoration of the framework and choir.
Securing the Future for Generations
The timeline for the church restoration is set for about a year, with the bulk of construction planned between spring and autumn 2026. Architect Antoine Leriche noted the unique advantage of having full funding upfront, saying: “In general, when I work on a building, it takes 20 years in four, five or six stages... Here, it's all in one go, which is a first for me.”
The impact of this generous donation cannot be overstated. Mayor Chevalier believes the work will preserve the cherished building “for another 150 years” before major maintenance is needed again. To commemorate Raymond Landy's selfless act, a plaque was unveiled at the church last month, ensuring that present and future generations remember the pensioner whose legacy literally saved their community's heart.
