In Brief
For 2 euros, a Vire resident won a 2017 Maserati Ghibli in a raffle aimed at funding the restoration of the Visitation Chapel in Besançon. The operation, overseen by the Heritage Foundation, sold 75,000 tickets and raised about 150,000 euros. The Maserati, valued at 27,000 euros, had been donated by a heritage enthusiast. This drawing not only changed the life of Jean-Baptiste Le Bris, but also the fate of a 17th-century historic building.
Putting a few euros into a raffle and walking away behind the wheel of a Maserati—this sounds like a movie plot. For a resident of Vire, in Calvados, it became a very real possibility. By taking part in a project to support heritage, he landed a 2017 Maserati Ghibli. Its value is estimated at 27,000 euros. The drawing took place on Friday, August 28, after weeks of mobilization. It turned that small gesture into a huge stroke of luck.
In practice, a Normand wins a Maserati for 2 € in a heritage raffle. The winner is Jean-Baptiste Le Bris, who lives in Vire, Normandy. Like thousands of others, he purchased a ticket at the symbolic price. The money was to support the restoration of the Visitation Chapel, a 17th-century building in Besançon. The raffle was built around a simple principle: a single prize, the Italian sedan, with a cap of 75,000 tickets. The limit was reached, with more than 10,000 people taking part. Ticket sales raised about €150,000 for the project. And behind the story of a luxury car seemingly dropping from the sky lies a heritage preservation effort, one that is already changing the fate of the chapel.
A €27,000 Maserati Ghibli in the Service of Heritage
At the heart of this initiative was a decidedly original idea: using an exceptional car to bankroll major restoration work. The Maserati Ghibli had been donated by an Alsatian owner with a passion for heritage. It was then selected as the sole prize of the raffle. Tickets sold out until the 75,000 copies were exhausted. The Foundation for Heritage is backing the chapel renovation project, which frames how the funds are used.
Built in 1678, the Visitation Chapel has lived several lives over the centuries. After the French Revolution, the site served as a military hospital. It was later incorporated into the old Besançon Faculty of Letters. In 1989, substantial renovations introduced concrete slabs and a monumental stairwell in the nave. These changes damaged some architectural features. The current project aims to restore the building’s original aesthetics and purpose. It calls for removing structures linked to the former amphitheaters and for restoring cornices, capitals, and certain vault elements.
From Besançon to Vire, Jean-Baptiste Le Bris’s Stroke of Luck
For Jean-Baptiste Le Bris, luck proved exceptionally favorable when the draw took place. His ticket became the key to a large Italian sedan, far from the typical neighborhood raffle. The car on offer was a diesel Maserati Ghibli. It is powered by a V6 producing 275 hp and has roughly 104,000 km on the odometer. This story gives the Maserati Ghibli a remarkable journey, culminating in its arrival in Normandy.
The winner must now arrange the pickup of his new vehicle. Beyond the spectacular win, the raffle has primarily funded the Visitation Chapel restoration. The proceeds will sustain the long-running renovation. Between this Italian sedan and a 17th-century chapel, the connection may surprise, yet it encapsulates the spirit of the project.
Comparative Table
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Ticket price | 2 € |
| Total tickets | 75,000 |
| Raffle revenue | ~150,000 € |
| Maserati Ghibli value | 27,000 € |
| Maserati mileage | 104,000 km |
| Maserati power | 275 hp |
| Vehicle year | 2017 |
Key Takeaways
- A Vire resident won a 2017 Maserati Ghibli through a charitable raffle.
- The winning ticket, sold for 2 euros, was drawn from 75,000 entries.
- The operation raised around €150,000 to fund the restoration of the Visitation Chapel in Besançon.
- The Maserati, donated by a benefactor, is valued at €27,000 and has 104,000 km on the odometer.
- The funds will restore historic elements of the 17th-century monument.
- The Heritage Foundation oversees the chapel renovation project.
FAQ
How was the Maserati Ghibli put into play?
The car was donated by an Alsatian owner to support heritage restoration and became the sole prize of the raffle.
How much money did the raffle raise?
Ticket sales generated about €150,000 to fund the Visitation Chapel restoration in Besançon.
How many participants were in the raffle?
More than 10,000 people participated, and all 75,000 tickets were sold.
What is the condition and features of the Maserati Ghibli won?
It’s a 2017 model with a 275 hp V6 engine, about 104,000 km on the odometer, and valued at €27,000.
What will the funds raised be used for at the chapel?
The funds will remove structures added over time and restore the chapel’s original architectural elements.
