Conservation of Montreuil-Bonnin Castle (France)
Conservation of Montreuil-Bonnin Castle (France) by a private initiative and the Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs of Poitiers, the Vieilles Maisons Françaises association and La Demeure Historique (Europa Nostra Award 2019)
The jury of the 2019 Europa Nostra Awards lauded the example set by this project as a positive private initiative for the consolidation of a ruin, paying respect to the character of the complex. With many similar ruins found throughout Europe this important example of a careful intervention serves as encouragement for further measures in this direction, with the understanding that the monitoring and preservation of a ruin is a continuous responsibility. According to the project description, this complex is comprised of a 13th-century castle and tower, with the gate and outer walls of the site in partial ruins, and the ruins of a 13th-century manor house and a 15th–17th-century dwelling. This monumental complex has witnessed the religious, economic and architectural history of the region. The castle, which was saved from ruin and partially restored between 1830 and 1850, has been owned by the same family since 1862. The property, which has always been used as a home, had been regularly maintained and was open to the public.
The owners then initiated the process to carefully restore and revitalise the site. In order to open the castle complex to the public, consolidation work was carried out on the walls, prioritising visitor safety. More recently a 60m2 barn was restored and redeveloped to accommodate the public. The restoration of the entrance station, originally scheduled for 2019-20, is to be followed by work to secure and partially restore the dungeon, one of several sites selected by Stéphane Bern’s Heritage Mission. The addition of a special path has meant that moats are accessible all year round. In addition, the Association des Amis du Château de Montreuil Bonnin is in charge of regularly opening the interior of the fortress and organising cultural events several times a year. Schoolchildren are also welcome to the Castle and every year concerts and events are held on European Heritage Days.
Brief analysis of the case:
It is a privately owned castle with historical and architectural values. The intervention has been carried out with private funds and has consisted of the conservation and consolidation of the complex with the aim of being able to inhabit the castle and, at the same time, to open it to the public. To this end, work has been carried out to adapt the exterior and interior spaces, consolidate some of the structures and carry out maintenance work. The work ensures the authenticity of the complex, although it does not renounce its updating in terms of use and accessibility.