Notre-Dame-du-Peuple: a book full of mystery in Draguignan
On the occasion, a few days ago, of the return of the Great Organs and the painting entitled The Vow of Louis XVI by the painter Carlo-Maria Viganoni to the church of Saint-Michel in Draguignan, another, more discreet event punctuated the rich parish calendar of Draguignan: the publication of the book by Anne-Catherine David on the subject of the church of Notre-Dame-du-Peuple, whose eponymous statue was not always called that...
The latter celebrated its half-millennium of existence with a memorable exhibition within its walls last December (see our article of December 6, 2024).
Interview with the exhibition curator turned investigator, assisted by the departmental and municipal archives.
What made you decide to write this book?
Father Dieudonné Massoma, the parish priest, asked me to tell the story at Christmas 2023. He knows of my involvement in the parish. The only known work is a complete booklet dating from the late 19th century. It was thought to have been written by an anonymous author, but I found its author: François Laugier, the priest of Draguignan.
Did you join the project right away?
I said yes, but I didn't begin my research until February 2024. I approached Françoise Grosjean, from the Society for Scientific and Archaeological Studies. She introduced me to the granddaughter of a sculptor, Vincent Ruoppolo, who created all the choir paneling in the 1930s. This allowed me to immerse myself in the history of the Virgin Mary, who has been the foundation of this church since her appearance 500 years ago.
What value does this church have compared to others?
It's a popular church, which has long been outside the walls. It's a welcoming place for believers and non-believers, regulars and ordinary people. They come looking for consolation, peace, and hope. I've met wonderful people there that I wouldn't have had if it weren't for this setting.
There are many ex-votos there. Why?
Ex-votos are plaques of thanks for a wish granted. These are used after accidents, illnesses, falls, shipwrecks, or to place a deceased person under the protection of the Virgin Mary.
There are not many documents on this church...
It's true. We have local historians, like Frédéric Mireur or Raymond Poulle, who mention it, but only in passing. Here, we have a huge puzzle to fill.
You still made some great discoveries...
Of course. I'm thinking of a medal struck in 1854 depicting the Immaculate Conception on one side and the church on the other. I couldn't find anything. And one evening, a friend sent me a photo and said, "There's your medal." It was in a garden in Dracénois, near the Col de l'Ange. That's when I told myself my work was finished.
This is perhaps the thickest mystery in Dracénois. In 1974 (the exact date is unknown), an incredible burglary occurred right under everyone's noses. "It was some elderly people who told me about it," explains Mrs. David. " It all happened at lunchtime while people were either sitting outside their front doors or outside their windows."
As everyone keeps an eye on their church, a "white truck" approaches and parks in front of the church. Men get out and begin going back and forth to the place of worship, loading their vehicle with votive offerings, paintings, medallions... About a hundred in total.
"Cleaning? Restoration? A town hall initiative? A parish initiative? It was so big that no one thought to ask them why they were taking the works away."
And he continues: "In the evening, the priest finds an empty building. Of course, there are plenty of witnesses! Everyone quickly understood that it was a robbery."
Since then, radio silence.
"For my part, I have not found any newspaper article reporting this theft, but the current mayor is ensuring that this subject is not closed."
A photographic inventory, owned by the town hall, lists the works that appeared before the theft. It is added to the 1906 directory.
A working basis for future treasure hunters? Perhaps. Reproductions fuel the work of Anne Catherine David, who enjoys dreaming that the works really do exist somewhere. "Perhaps someone is lucky enough to see them every day."
Var-Matin
