Cover photo: Stéphanie Guiraud-Chaumeil, mayor of Albi, with Greg Kucera (center) and Larry Yocom (right) (Credit: Communications Department of the City of Albi).
During the 2026 Heritage Days, the cloister of the former Capuchin convent took center stage in Albi. The turnout, estimated at over a thousand people, speaks volumes about the enthusiasm generated by the opening of this private site to the public. On Sunday afternoon, in particular, visitors patiently made their way through the cloister of the Madeleine walkways and admired the beauty of the renovated site. The contrast between the historic architecture and the contemporary touch of the mirror-patterned glass—which gives the site its unique character—has sparked so many comments and superlatives! The garden, richly planted with flowers and shrubs by the owners, and the contemporary art sculptures round out the site’s charm. Greg Kucera and Larry Yocom have left their mark on their home for several years now.
Although it has been in the media spotlight since their arrival, this heritage treasure of the Albi region was once hidden behind an unremarkable—even dilapidated—facade on the side facing the church’s forecourt. To remedy this situation, the two Americans working with the city of Albi, undertook a project that was substantial in terms of time, effort, and cost. The result: a beautified forecourt of the Madeleine Church—a true gift to the people of Albi and visitors to the Madeleine quarter alike.
The Albi City Council has therefore decided to recognize this initiative by awarding the city’s 2026 Heritage Prize to the owners and the craftsman who carried out the work. On Saturday, September 19, at 11:30 a.m., a ceremony was held in the cloister courtyard to present this honorary award, established in 2011 by the municipality. Construction projects submitted for preliminary permits are reviewed in collaboration with the Tarn Department’s Architecture and Heritage Unit.
Many elected officials from the city of Albi were in attendance, as well as representatives from the local chapter of the Fondation du Patrimoine and the Chamber of Trades and Crafts… Some of the technicians and administrative staff who contributed to the project’s progress were also present. Everyone took the opportunity to commend the restoration and repointing of the facade, carried out using traditional techniques specific to this type of material.
From left to right: Messrs. Calmels and Rigal of the Heritage Foundation, Larry Yocom and Greg Kucera, the mayor, and the first deputy mayors of the city of Albi, who attended in large numbers.
In her speech, Stéphanie Guiraud-Chaumeil, mayor of Albi, emphasized that “this project has made it possible to preserve the authenticity of the façade, highlighting the quality of the brickwork characteristic of Albi’s heritage, while also enhancing the forecourt of the Madeleine Church.”
The goal was to highlight the work of a local company and its expertise in the field of restoration. Greg Kucera, the award-winning owner, took the opportunity during his remarks to thank Guillaume Cuq and his company, AGAME Maçonnerie, based in Réalmont. In particular, he acknowledged the two masons, Anthony and Francis, who worked alongside Mr Cuq in the sweltering heat for much of the summer of 2025, under conditions that were at times difficult.
In addition to the town hall staff and the Fondation du Patrimoine, the acknowledgments also provided an opportunity to thank Messrs. Gironnet and Novella of Bâtiments de France for their advice and support, as well as Tony Kunter, a neighbor and volunteer Syndic for the copropriété portion of the cloister, for handling the administrative tasks related to the work.
Finally, this year’s Heritage Days marked the return of MZ DUO to the cloister (see opposite). Canadian saxophonist David Zucchi and Basque accordionist Iñigo Mikeleiz-Berrade played to a sold-out crowd for their third concert at the venue. From their gentle rendition of Bach’s Goldberg Variations to their highly original interpretation of Erik Satie, with Basque music in between, they enchanted the audience, bringing the summer season of L’Atelier des Arts du Noble Val to a spectacular close.
The large turnout over these two days, the award presented to the venue’s owners and contractor, and the concert itself demonstrate just how successful the venue has been, to the point where it is quickly becoming an unmissable heritage site in the Albi region.