France Report

French village at war over Catholic traditionalists' mega 'basilica' project

Tensions are running high in the small village of Saint-Pierre-de-Colombier, situated within the Monts d’Ardèche natural park in southern France. The deep divisions among its population of around 440 are over a project by a local traditionalist Catholic community, the Missionary Family of Our Lady, to build a giant complex – variously described as a basilica or spiritual centre – capable of welcoming 3,500 pilgrims, situated in an area which hosts dozens of protected species of plants and creatures. But beyond environmental concerns is alarm at the infiltration of the religious community into local life, including the influence it apparently wields over the village council, the expansion of its properties in the village, and alleged intimidation of opponents of the scheme, including from far-right militants. Prisca Borrel reports from Saint-Pierre-de-Colombier.