The parishioners discovered the damages on Monday morning. Several statues had been defaced, in particular, two statues that date from the 19th century and were located in the transept of the building.

One of the statues of the Virgin Mary had also been damaged —and her crown broken. A second figure depicting Joan of Arc, the French national heroine, along with its plinth, was also defaced.

The church was closed on Tuesday and debris removed. A complaint has been filed with the local police and it is believed that the alleged perpetrator, a psychologically fragile woman, has been placed in a medical facility.

Source: sudouest.fr