Introduction
A lottery has been organized aimed at using the earnings for the restoration and maintenance of France’s innumerable heritage sites which are falling into disrepair.
Script
Please Note: This video is scripted up to the 3:55 minute mark. Segments where French is spoken are provided in English in the script.
TV News Journalist: Our focus report today looks at how the French can now have a little flutter to salvage some of their country’s decaying heritage. This weekend a host of buildings which are usually off-limits to the public will be fully unlocked and free to enter for the open-door weekend. Many of these sites are in desperate need of funds to help restore them or keep them ship-shape. The government thinks it’s found the answer with a new lotto game and set of scratch cards. Valériane Gauthier and Claire Paquelin explain.
Voiceover: Hidden behind these walls is the sumptuous home of a 19th century French writer and world traveler. The extravagant Pierre Loti decorated a room in his house in France with features from mosques he visited on his trips.
Aurélie Jacquet, Museum Curator: (French spoken with English sub-titles) Above us you can see damp patches. We’ve had to take off the ceramic tiles to stop them falling off and breaking.
Voiceover: Insects have eaten away part of the wooden ceiling Pierre Loti brought home from Syria.
Jacquet: You can see where the insects infested the wood significant parts have been lost. It’s like a wafer! That’s a bit worrying if you imagine the whole ceiling is in that state.
Voiceover: Downstairs it’s even worse. A local councilor tells us the town can’t afford the 12 million euros needed to restore the house.
Florence Lecossois, Rochefort Town Councillor: (French spoken with English sub-titles) 12 million euros, that’s double what the town invests in basic public services during the whole year. So it’s impossible.
Voiceover: The ceiling will be fully restored thanks to a new fund-raising scheme. President Emmanuel Macron has asked Stephane Bern, a well-known host of TV history shows, to run a heritage mission to save French buildings and monuments. Two hundred and sixty-nine have been selected to receive funding.
Stephane Bern: (French spoken with English sub-titles) It is up to the government to pay, but so much money is needed to save our heritage. The government can’t afford it. Local public funding has been cut. Private property owners don’t have the money. So we need to find other solutions.
Voiceover: Stephane Bern has started a nation-wide lottery. Tickets cost three euros and scratch cards are on sale for 15 euros each. The jackpot is 1.5 million euros. Back in Pierre Loti’s home town, we asked locals if they’ll take part.
Various townspeople: It’s a good idea to get people involved. Are you going to play? Oh…no. I don’t spend money on things like that. 15 euros…That’s a bit pricey. I’m all for it. Me too. Mr. Macron needs to increase our pensions then we’ll take part.
Voiceover: Some are put off because out of the 15 euros it costs to buy a scratch card, only 1 euro and 52 cents will go to restoring buildings and monuments.
Cécile Lage, Lottery Orgnizer: It’s not a lot because more than two-thirds of the cost of the scratch card will finance the winnings. People who play want to win and contribute to a good cause. So it’s important that the jackpot is enticing otherwise nobody will take part.
Voiceover: As well as castles, forts and abbies, France’s scientific heritage will also receive funding. In Marseille this building is home to a unique device that measures the tide…
Quiz
1. The French can have a little ________ to salvage some of their country’s decaying heritage. Discussion
- Do you think it’s important that the French protect their historic heritage sites?
- Who should be responsible for protecting a country’s historic sites?
- Do you like the idea of holding a lottery directed at raising money for this purpose?