In the midst of a new term, Henri De Colombel reflects on the projects he has carried out during his previous term, from the restoration of the castle to the modernization of the roads, as well as supporting the associative fabric.
“What are the projects you are most proud of since your last term?” The restoration of our castle (a project initiated in April 2014). It required acquiring all the parcels involved (four different owners including a company that blocked the sale for over three years); the sale was finalized in 2017. Then, we launched two restoration stages under the guidance of a chief architect of historical monuments: the first in 2019, the second in 2021. Finally, specifically in the second half of this last term, we made the premises accessible to pedestrians and refurbished and completely secured it last year. Now freely accessible, it regularly welcomes walkers and tourists, the initial goal of the project. The construction of a small building intended to accommodate, in excellent sanitary and security conditions, our three associations, mainly the one newly created in 2025, which was particularly close to my heart: it is intended to welcome and entertain young children, some Wednesdays or Saturdays, under the supervision of volunteer adults. Also, the main (and only) access to the village was in poor condition and unattractive. The entire road network, from the entrance to the exit of the municipality, as well as the village square, were completely resurfaced and, simultaneously, the surroundings were heavily landscaped.
“What initiatives have not succeeded and why?” None for the sole reason that those that were stopped were due to the financial constraints we faced!
“How do you assess the impact of your actions on the daily life of residents?” Although obviously biased in my answer to this question, I believe that the actions of our council have been appreciated by residents, improved their quality of life, and strengthened their attachment to the village. The efforts dedicated to improving the living environment (castle restoration and its opening to the public, road repairs) have been very well received even if, admittedly, the initial reactions were reserved: “It will cost a lot”, “why change?” We also received very positive feedback from the presidents and members of our associations for the building that was designated for them. This is especially significant as a “bar association” activity was added, a source of significant social cohesion within the village (rugby evenings during the Six Nations Tournament, “tapas bar” on some Saturdays or Sundays).
With these achievements, Henri De Colombel intends to continue his commitment to the village. The review of his past actions serves as a foundation for new projects, with the same ambition: to enhance heritage, strengthen social ties, and improve the living environment for all residents.
