Arson in France: Historic 19th-century church ablaze

Church of Saint-Sauveur. Photo: Tribune Chrétienne

On September 24, 2025, a fire broke out in the 19th-century Church of Saint-Sauveur in the town of Plancoët (Côtes-d’Armor Department), France. According to Tribune Chrétienne, the blaze began in the confessional around 3:00 p.m. and quickly filled the church with thick smoke.

The flames damaged two stained-glass windows, but thanks to the intervention of 53 firefighters, the fire did not spread to the roof. Sacred vessels and chalices were saved, and the statues remained unharmed. Damage was limited to a portion of the artworks, with only the wooden confessional completely destroyed.

According to the gendarmerie, the suspected arsonist was apprehended shortly after the incident. He was later hospitalized due to health concerns. The circumstances of the fire are now under investigation.

Parishioners have been informed that services will temporarily take place in the Church of Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth. Scheduled funerals and Sunday Mass have also been moved there.

Catholic outlets note that this arson is yet another act of vandalism against churches in France. Such incidents are deeply troubling to the faithful and raise urgent questions about the protection of the nation’s religious heritage.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Pereiaslav, bulldozers tore open the graves of monks near a monastery.

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