“We have ordered additional studies”: why the Hôtel-Dieu construction site in Millau has come to a standstill ?

Hôpital général au XVIIIe siècle, l’Hôtel-Dieu est situé au 46 du boulevard Richard à Millau. AD

1 mois ? 6 mois ? Ou 1 an comme l’envisagent déjà certaines voix ? Interrompu depuis plusieurs semaines, le chantier de l’Hôtel-Dieu dans l’attente d’études complémentaires pour pouvoir relancer le chantier.

Complications are mounting for the construction site of the Hôtel-Dieu in Millau. The purchase of this 19th-century building by the Union des Mutuelles Millavoises (UMM) – which has since merged with Udsma under the name Altriane Mutualité Française Aveyron – was to result in the renovation of 26 homes, with 2- and 3-room apartments for a so-called “social” senior residence, signed in September 2022 for 400,000 euros. with a micro-nursery with a dozen places on the ground floor.

Also read: In Millau, the Hôtel-Dieu trapped in the "mysteries of administration"

After an initial building permit was rejected by the administration and more specifically the architects of the Bâtiments de France (ABF) refusing the installation of photovoltaic panels or that of glass guardrails in favor of iron, another building permit filed on February 21, 2023 finally made it possible to launch the work at the end of the year.

New studies

Six months later, new disappointment. At a standstill since the summer, the construction site is still awaiting several additional analyses to ensure that the work can continue. “We have launched new soil and structure studies. We are now awaiting the results before resuming the work“, confirms the Altriane group.

According to information obtained, asbestos materials and products were discovered in the building constructed at 46 Boulevard Richard on the site of the Hôpital Mage, which became the Hôpital Général in the 18th century, then a hospice during the French Revolution.

A new setback that would not call into question the completion of the real estate program, hopes the owner, who is however very cautious about the duration of the interruption of a construction site that was initially supposed to be completed in 18 months according to initial estimates.

“Quotes are in course"

“Following the results of the initial asbestos diagnosis, we have ordered additional studies, particularly of the ground, in order to check the stability of the building. The results indicate that additional work should be considered so that the work can continue as quickly as possible. Estimates are in progress”, adds the Altriane group.

In how much time ? 1 month ? 6 months ? Or 1 year as some contractors are already predicting ? To date, nothing is less certain, for the protagonists who believe on the other hand that this new discovery could "significantly&quot to increase the envelope dedicated to the transformation of the building into an “inclusive housing residence”.

A transaction costing 7.90 million euros. Included in this amount is a social rental loan of 3.9 million euros; for which the Communauté de communes Millau Grands Causses committed in May 2025 to be guarantor “of the simple surety, up to 50%, or 1.9 M euros.”

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