New paragraph
A madness, a challenge! A unique heritage to safeguard
Work in several stages
Become a Patron by participating financially in the work by donating directly to the Mérimée Foundation platform
“The preservation of our regional landscape and our architectural riches is our duty and our project for future generations.” Isabelle Dupont, owner
The dungeon
Progress of the restoration work:
After a historical diagnosis carried out in 2019-20, the safeguarding of the keep will consist of restoring the summit part and two floor levels in order to create an unusual room open to the public on the second floor and an exhibition room on the first.
September 2020; the restoration work has started! The construction site is well underway, the rope access technicians have intervened to devegetate the summit part and remove what is threatening, thus allowing the rest of the scaffolding to be erected in complete safety, inside and outside. The niches are rediscovered.
January 2021: the parapet path is restored in the summit part. The masonry of the battlements is dismantled and restored. The frame is ready to be assembled in separate parts on the top part to find its final place there.
February 2021: The masonry of the chimneys is restored for technical and historical reasons although this was not planned. .....Significant additional cost!.
July 2021: the slots and the walkway are returned.
December 2021: the cover is put on, the dungeon is out of water. The interior staircase in the thickness of the 3 m restored wall
July 2022: The wooden vault is returned under the roof
December 2022: Level 3 and 2 floors are completed.
February 2023: the floor of the 1st level and railing of the mezzanine are put in place
The Power
The postern restoration work was completed in July 2020.
The access staircase and two rooms have been restored: a weapons room with a description of the very rich history of the castle and an unusual guest room to allow visitors to return to the time of the knights!
We are looking for medieval furniture and decoration.
A guest room is offered, Be the first! Call to book your Unusual Night at the castle.
The Chapel
There must have been a chapel within this fortified castle. However, we no longer have any trace of it.
It is by entering on the left after passing the postern that you will discover our small chapel inaugurated in 2019.
The contemporary stained glass windows of the artist Françoise Bissara and the master glassmaker Olivier Juteau await you in this place ideal for contemplation. The virgin follows you with her eyes as you walk past., remarkable.
And to accompany his two works, we offer you the prayers composed by the artist:
Light and Peace
Your golden face with its sweet scent follows me
He looks at me and invites me to this chapel
Your open hand on the side of your heart calls me
Your other raised hand guides and leads me
And your hands of tenderness welcome the Holy Spirit
Who descends to earth to illuminate our hearts
The radiance of your face erases all fear
Our souls are warmed by the gold you gird
Your look full of tenderness when he waits
Your look full of sadness facing the Cross
Your long hair full of scents is a torrent
Your mantle of prayer invites to Faith
Very sweet Virgin of gold and crowned with stars
Diffuse in our hearts the Holy Spirit who reveals himself
Your hands are a bridge from darkness to light
Your gentle face is a prayer
O Spirit of the azure you bring us incense
Neither hymns nor procession for the visitor
In this sanctuary, let us be the servants
Of the Spirit who invites us to meditation
Anthem
AURORA JAM SPREADS THE POLE
THE DAY OF THE EARTH HAPPENS
THE LIGHT RESULTS IN THE SPIKE
IT LEAVES EVERYTHING SLIPPERY
“The dawn is already spreading across the sky
And the day descends on the earth
The clarity of light shines
Let all seduction disappear”
Antiphon of the Blessed Virgin
“Hail O Queen, Mother of Mercy
Our life, our sweetness and our hope
Please turn your merciful eyes towards us
The altar was made and donated by the stonemasons who restored the postern: Mazheaz Andouard and Jean-Charles. May they be thanked for their donation.
You would think it had always been there!
The little house
The small house leaning against the ramparts inside the fortress was restored in 2018. It offers a 60m2 room on the ground floor, a room upstairs with 6 beds and a large open barn of 80 m2 in an exceptional setting. Do not hesitate to inquire for your meetings, general assemblies, birthdays, seminars...
chateau.montreuilbonnin@hotmail.com
In the twin bathroom
It was from 2016 to 2017 that the restoration work took place on the twin bay and the rampart wall which dominates the village. An artist's work!