French Heritage Society

French Heritage Society

Preserving our historic treasures to inspire future generations

2024

Chapelle de Sainte-Marie-aux-Anglais

Feb 24, 2025
Constructed around 1140, the Chapel of Sainte-Marie-aux-Anglais has remarkably retained its original form, offering a rare glimpse into medieval ecclesiastical design.  Site History Situated in the Norman countryside near Le Mesnil-Mauger, France, the Chapel of Sainte-Marie-aux-Anglais is a remarkable example of 12th-century Norman architecture. The interior walls are adorned with 13th-century murals depicting scenes from […]

Chapelle de Sainte-Marie-aux-Anglais

Constructed around 1140, the Chapel of Sainte-Marie-aux-Anglais has remarkably retained its original form, offering a rare glimpse into medieval ecclesiastical design. 

Site History

Situated in the Norman countryside near Le Mesnil-Mauger, France, the Chapel of Sainte-Marie-aux-Anglais is a remarkable example of 12th-century Norman architecture. The interior walls are adorned with 13th-century murals depicting scenes from the lives of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, as well as the murder of Thomas Becket and a castle under attack by neighboring peasants. These paintings serve not only as artistic masterpieces but also as educational tools reflecting the medieval worldview. 

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the chapel functioned as a parish church under the Diocese of Lisieux. However, by 1836, parishioners sought to join more-accessible churches, leading to the chapel’s desacralization and subsequent neglect. 

About the Project

Recognized as a historic monument in 1910, the chapel has undergone several restoration efforts to preserve its structural integrity and artistic heritage. In 2017, significant work was undertaken to restore the bell tower, including the delicate process of lifting the shaft for repairs. In 2024, French Heritage Society, together with the William T. Kemper Foundation, supported the restoration of the chapel’s nave. The ongoing restoration efforts focus on preserving the chapel’s unique architectural features and invaluable murals. In addition, a comprehensive study of the paintings has been conducted, including high-resolution photography, to inform future conservation strategies. 

Chapelle de Sainte-Marie-aux-Anglais Today

Today, the chapel stands as a testament to medieval Norman architecture and art. Its well-preserved state offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the ambiance of a 12th-century place of worship, complete with original murals and architectural details. The ongoing restoration ensures that this historical gem remains accessible for future generations to appreciate and study.

Abbaye de La Lucerne d’Outremer

Feb 24, 2025
The Abbaye de La Lucerne, an exemplar of medieval Premonstratensian architecture, offers a rare glimpse into monastic life from the 12th century onward. Site History Nestled in a lush Norman landscape, the Abbaye de La Lucerne is a remarkable example of medieval Premonstratensian architecture in France. Thanks to significant restoration work over the past half […]

Abbaye de La Lucerne d’Outremer

The Abbaye de La Lucerne, an exemplar of medieval Premonstratensian architecture, offers a rare glimpse into monastic life from the 12th century onward.

Site History

Nestled in a lush Norman landscape, the Abbaye de La Lucerne is a remarkable example of medieval Premonstratensian architecture in France. Thanks to significant restoration work over the past half decade, it offers a rare glimpse into monastic life from the 12th century onward. The abbey was listed as a historic monument in 1928. Its luminous architecture, serene surroundings and long history of restoration make it a site of both spiritual reflection and cultural heritage.

About the Project

The abbey has undergone significant preservation efforts since 1959. The current project marks the third major restoration in its history. It encompasses conservation of the abbey’s historic buildings, including the 15th-century guest house, the 17th-century priory and tithe barns, and the 18th-century abbot’s residence, as well as the vegetable and flower gardens. The project extends to structural restoration of the abbey church’s tiled floors and plaster walls, along with the reconstruction of the east convent walls and the 18th-century cloister.

The Abbey Today

Throughout its history, the abbey has been a place of devotion and intellectual exchange. Today, it continues to serve as a center for spiritual retreats, liturgical celebrations and religious festivals organized by the Fraternity of the Abbey of La Lucerne. The restoration project will further transform the site into a green community, dedicated to social, educational, artistic and spiritual activities. In addition to hosting training programs and creative workshops, the abbey will offer artist residencies for musicians, composers, painters and sculptors. Visitors of all ages will find a sanctuary for prayer, contemplation and the timeless beauty of Gregorian chants.

Bust of Abraham Lincoln

Feb 24, 2025
Installed in memory of Renée Johnson, founder of the Paris-Chicago Committee, this bust of Abraham Lincoln celebrates Franco-American friendship and the bond between the sister cities of Chicago and Paris.  Historical Significance Chicago, one of Paris’s sister cities, played a defining role in Abraham Lincoln’s rise to political prominence. Between 1847 and 1859, the young […]

Bust of Abraham Lincoln

Installed in memory of Renée Johnson, founder of the Paris-Chicago Committee, this bust of Abraham Lincoln celebrates Franco-American friendship and the bond between the sister cities of Chicago and Paris. 

Historical Significance

Chicago, one of Paris’s sister cities, played a defining role in Abraham Lincoln’s rise to political prominence. Between 1847 and 1859, the young lawyer frequently visited the city, arguing landmark cases that shaped its development, including those influencing the northern Loop and the expansion of the railroad. In 1860, Chicago was the site of Lincoln’s nomination as the Republican candidate for the U.S. presidency. The Chicago Press and Tribune was among the first major newspapers to endorse him, and his nomination at the Wigwam building—a specially constructed wooden auditorium—was met with widespread celebration.

During the Civil War, historian Mary Livermore persuaded Lincoln to donate his original Emancipation Proclamation to the Chicago Sanitary Commission, underscoring the city’s role in the Union cause. Sadly, Chicago also became part of Lincoln’s final journey, as it welcomed his funeral procession on May 1–3, 1865, following his assassination.

About the Artwork

The chosen sculpture is a bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln cast from an original plaster made by Alfonso Iannelli (1888–1965), an Italian-American artist known for his fusion of art nouveau and cubism. Iannelli was based in Chicago for most of his life, and his works left a lasting artistic imprint on the city, making his depiction of Lincoln particularly meaningful. Initiated by the Paris-Chicago Committee, the project has received support from the City of Paris, the U.S. Ambassador to France and the Consul General of France in Chicago.

The Installation

The bust has been installed at Place Paul-Emile Victor, at the intersection of Avenue George V and Rue François 1er in the 8th arrondissement. Its location, just steps from the American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and near the offices of French Heritage Society, underscores the deep cultural and historical ties between France and the United States.

Musée du Louvre

Feb 24, 2025
A masterpiece of 17th-century French architecture, the summer apartments of Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV, now serve as an exhibition gallery within the Louvre, blending royal history with artistic heritage. Site History The summer apartments of Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV, were designed by architect Louis Le Vau between 1655 and […]

Musée du Louvre

A masterpiece of 17th-century French architecture, the summer apartments of Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV, now serve as an exhibition gallery within the Louvre, blending royal history with artistic heritage.

Site History

The summer apartments of Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV, were designed by architect Louis Le Vau between 1655 and 1658. Situated on the ground floor of what is now the Louvre’s Petite Galerie, the apartments originally comprised a grand salon, an antechamber (now the Hall of Seasons), a vestibule (now the Salon of Peace), a grand cabinet, a parade bedroom and a small cabinet—now unified into a single exhibition space.

This historically significant residence, once occupied by Catherine de Médicis before becoming Anne of Austria’s summer retreat and later housing Louis XIV, bears witness to centuries of French royal history. The influence of Le Vau’s architectural vision, combined with Romanelli’s Italianate frescoes and Anguier’s sculptural mastery, underscores the grandeur of the apartments. Following the French Revolution, the rooms were repurposed as the Gallery of Antiquities, displaying Greek, Etruscan and Roman artifacts. 

In 2024, the apartments hosted the prestigious exhibition Masterpieces from the Torlonia Collection, featuring one of the world’s most important private collections of ancient sculpture, reinforcing their status as a link between past and present.

About the Project

Restoration work aims to stabilize and enhance the original decorative elements, from frescoes to stucco reliefs, safeguarding them against structural wear and environmental deterioration. These efforts ensure that the apartments continue to serve as an exceptional setting for historical and artistic exhibitions.

The Apartments Today

Now an integral part of the Louvre’s exhibition spaces, the apartments remain dedicated to displaying classical antiquities, offering visitors an immersive experience that bridges the grandeur of French royal heritage and the richness of ancient art.

Abbaye de Cîteaux

Feb 19, 2025
The founding house of the Cistercian Order, the Abbaye de Cîteaux remains a center of monastic life and a testament to the order’s enduring legacy. Site History & Significance Founded in 1098 by a group of Benedictine monks led by Saint Robert of Molesme, the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Cîteaux became the cradle of the Cistercian […]

Abbaye de Cîteaux

The founding house of the Cistercian Order, the Abbaye de Cîteaux remains a center of monastic life and a testament to the order’s enduring legacy.

Site History & Significance

Founded in 1098 by a group of Benedictine monks led by Saint Robert of Molesme, the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Cîteaux became the cradle of the Cistercian Order. The abbey’s austere architecture and devotion to simplicity shaped the movement that spread across Europe and United States, influencing religious and economic life through its network of daughter houses. During the Middle Ages, the abbey flourished as a center of learning and agricultural innovation, renowned for its scriptorium and illuminated manuscripts. However, it suffered significant losses during the French Revolution, with many of its structures dismantled or repurposed. 

About the Project

The définitoire, an essential space within the abbey, served as a gathering place for decision-making among the Cistercian leadership. Over centuries, exposure to humidity and structural shifts have led to the deterioration of its walls, woodwork and plaster. The current restoration project aims to stabilize and preserve this historically significant room, ensuring it continues to reflect the abbey’s profound spiritual and architectural heritage.

Work includes reinforcement of the timber framework, restoration of decorative elements and treatment of materials to prevent further degradation. By safeguarding this space, the project contributes to the broader effort of preserving Cîteaux’s monastic legacy for future generations.

Abbaye de Cîteaux Today

Nestled in the serene landscape of Burgundy, the Abbaye de Cîteaux remains an active monastery, home to a small community of monks dedicated to prayer, work and hospitality. It welcomes visitors interested in its rich history and spiritual traditions. The abbey is particularly known for its cheese production, which follows traditional Cistercian methods. Guided tours allow visitors to explore the historic buildings, including the restored définitoire, providing insight into the daily life of the monks and the abbey’s centuries-old mission of contemplation and stewardship.

Château de Servigny

Feb 12, 2025
Constructed in the 16th century, the Château de Servigny hosted the signing of the Treaty of Servigny at the end of World War II, formalizing the German surrender of the region. Site History & Significance The Château de Servigny is a landmark in the history of the Second World War. Built in the 16th century […]

Château de Servigny

Constructed in the 16th century, the Château de Servigny hosted the signing of the Treaty of Servigny at the end of World War II, formalizing the German surrender of the region.

Site History & Significance

The Château de Servigny is a landmark in the history of the Second World War. Built in the 16th century and completely remodeled in the 19th, it served as a command post for American Major General James Lawton Collins, Commander of the Seventh Army Corps, during the Normandy landings. The château’s Surrender Room was the site of the signing of the Treaty of Servigny, also known as the Surrender of Cherbourg, which formalized the surrender of the German general in charge of the region.

About the Restoration Project

The FHS grant supports the restoration of the château’s roof and framework.

Château de Servigny Today

The Château de Servigny, also known as the Château de la Paix, has organized a series of peace-focused events for young people since 2014. These initiatives include the creation of a Mosaic of Peace under the patronage of UNESCO; the establishment of a Palm Grove of Peace; and the design of Memory and Peace Circuits for students visiting significant Norman D-Day sites. In June 2024, the château hosted a luncheon as part of the ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Allies’ landing in Normandy, with guests of honor addressing an audience of over 300 young people to discuss the transmission of their legacies and memories and the pursuit of peace.

Logis de Moullins

Feb 12, 2025
A noble residence built between the 12th and 16th centuries, the Logis de Moullins comprises a complex of buildings that reflect its architectural evolution. Site History & Significance The Logis de Moullins is a noble residence built between the 12th and 16th centuries, and its various buildings catalogue the architectural changes made during that period. […]

Logis de Moullins

A noble residence built between the 12th and 16th centuries, the Logis de Moullins comprises a complex of buildings that reflect its architectural evolution.

Site History & Significance

The Logis de Moullins is a noble residence built between the 12th and 16th centuries, and its various buildings catalogue the architectural changes made during that period. The aula, built around 1300, is a large ceremonial hall that was meant to welcome prestigious visitors and further the tradition of vassalage. Today, this building is the last surviving example in France of a single-story basilica-plan hall with a central nave and two aisles.

About the Restoration Project

The owners of the Logis de Moullins have dedicated their lives to the restoration of this historic property. The current project involves repairing the roof of the aula and securing the walls to reinforce the structure as a whole, ensuring that it doesn’t deteriorate further.

Logis de Moullins Today

The Association of Friends of the Medieval Domain of Moullins assists the owners in organizing cultural events. The estate welcomes student groups to introduce them to the organization of life in the Middle Ages. It also hosts highly popular annual events, including the “Reading to Animals” festival, and participates in European Heritage Days.

After 37 years of research, the Friends of the Medieval Domain of Moullins, in collaboration with the owners, are working on a comprehensive book on the history, architecture and archaeological analysis of Moullins. The book is intended for both specialists and the general public, with numerous photographs, plans and sections to enhance understanding.

Église Notre-Dame de Carentan

Feb 12, 2025
A treasure trove of Norman religious architecture, the Notre-Dame de Carentan church showcases stained-glass windows from the 15th, 16th, 19th and 20th centuries, along with a magnificent 16th-century chapelle du Rosaire. Site History & Significance Situated in the heart of the Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park, the Église Notre-Dame de Carentan holds a strategic position […]

Église Notre-Dame de Carentan

A treasure trove of Norman religious architecture, the Notre-Dame de Carentan church showcases stained-glass windows from the 15th, 16th, 19th and 20th centuries, along with a magnificent 16th-century chapelle du Rosaire.

Site History & Significance

Situated in the heart of the Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park, the Église Notre-Dame de Carentan holds a strategic position in the historic center of Carentan. A treasure trove of Norman religious architecture, this 11th-century church was originally built in the Romanesque style, though few vestiges of this period remain apart from the west portal and the four pillars of the transept. It was ravaged in the Hundred Years’ War and subsequently rebuilt in the Gothic style. The church has a beautiful collection of stained-glass windows from the 15th, 16th and 19th centuries, as well as windows installed after Carentan was liberated during World War II. Perhaps most notably, a magnificent 16th-century chapelle du Rosaire is located in the apse.

About the Restoration Project

Notre-Dame de Carentan has endured the ravages of time and is now in significant need of restoration, especially in terms of the roofing and the masonry on the southeast façade. The FHS grant will help with this effort and allow the church to remain open to the public for events.

Notre-Dame de Carentan Today

The imposing undertaking of restoring Notre-Dame de Carentan relies on a tight-knit community, represented by the town as well as the association for the church’s preservation and restoration. The association regularly organizes concerts and other events to raise funds to support the restoration effort and help bring the church to life.

Château de Saveilles

Feb 12, 2025
Combining characteristics of a medieval fortress with elements of a Renaissance residence, the Château de Saveilles stands as a rare example of pristine architectural preservation. Site History & Significance A rare example of pristine architectural preservation, the Château de Saveilles is one of the most remarkable castles in Charente. With its surrounding walls, outbuildings and […]

Château de Saveilles

Combining characteristics of a medieval fortress with elements of a Renaissance residence, the Château de Saveilles stands as a rare example of pristine architectural preservation.

Site History & Significance

A rare example of pristine architectural preservation, the Château de Saveilles is one of the most remarkable castles in Charente. With its surrounding walls, outbuildings and vast park, it perfectly represents the evolution of fortified noble houses. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, the château combines the characteristics of a medieval fortress, surrounded by moats with two defensive towers, with the delicately carved dormer windows and chimneys of a Renaissance residence. Two dormant bridges from the 18th century connect it to the outside. The château’s excellent preservation in its original state can be attributed to the fact that the estate has remained in the hands of the same family since 1307.

About the Restoration Project

Although the Château de Saveilles is in a very good state of preservation overall, modifications have created significant structural fragilities. The restoration project focuses on the framework and masonry of the east façade to stabilize the building as a whole. Additionally, the four chimneys and the east gable exhibit cracks and gaps in the facing, requiring reinforcement.

Château de Saveilles Today

Since 1987, the site has been open for self-guided tours, mainly during the summer. In addition, visitors have opportunities to discover the estate in the company of the owner during themed guided tours, with playful routes set up for younger audiences. Hot-air balloon rides launch from the park, offering an unforgettable experience. Every August, the estate hosts a performance of the open-air opera Un soir d’été à Saveilles, welcoming tourists and locals alike to enjoy the grounds.

Château de la Roche

Feb 12, 2025
An emblematic monument within Morvan Regional Natural Park, the 18th-century Château de la Roche offers stunning views and showcases architectural elements characteristic of its era. Site History & Significance Perched on a rocky promontory in Larochemillay, Burgundy, the Château de la Roche stands as an emblematic monument, offering breathtaking views of Morvan Regional Natural Park. […]

Château de la Roche

An emblematic monument within Morvan Regional Natural Park, the 18th-century Château de la Roche offers stunning views and showcases architectural elements characteristic of its era.

Site History & Significance

Perched on a rocky promontory in Larochemillay, Burgundy, the Château de la Roche stands as an emblematic monument, offering breathtaking views of Morvan Regional Natural Park. Built in the 18th century on the site of a fortified medieval castle, it is characterized by austere, classical architecture. After suffering a fire in 2008, the château has been undergoing gradual restoration to its original state.

About the Restoration Project

Château de la Roche has remained in the same family for 280 years, and they have preserved remarkable traces of its 18th-century decor. For example, stucco decorations are still visible in their original colors, a rare feature in this type of château. Wooden decorations are also still present, but have deteriorated, as have the stucco moldings in the vestibule. The FHS grant will help restore the intricate stucco and woodwork. It will also allow the château to remain open to the public and continue to boost the local economy through tourism.

Château de la Roche Today

Louis and Marie de La Ville-Baugé have been restoring the property for the past 20 years. Structural work began in 2011 and interior work in 2014. Future projects will include restoration of the park and medieval tower. The castle is located near a major Roman archaeological site, Bibracte, and contributes to the economic and touristic development of the region.

Château de l’Islette

Feb 12, 2025
A Renaissance-style castle now inhabited by its owners, the Château de l’Islette stands in harmonious contrast to its surrounding English-style gardens Site History & Significance The Château de l’Islette is a 16th-century Renaissance-style castle comprising a long, rectangular main building that spans three floors, flanked by two imposing cylindrical towers with pointed roofs. It is […]

Château de l’Islette

A Renaissance-style castle now inhabited by its owners, the Château de l’Islette stands in harmonious contrast to its surrounding English-style gardens

Site History & Significance

The Château de l’Islette is a 16th-century Renaissance-style castle comprising a long, rectangular main building that spans three floors, flanked by two imposing cylindrical towers with pointed roofs. It is believed to have been constructed by the same craftsmen who built the neighboring Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, and the two bear a number of resemblances, particularly in terms of the architectural decorations on their façades. An older section, a combination of brick and stone, dates to the 15th century and completes the ensemble. The resemblance to Azay-le-Rideau was even more striking before the moats were filled in, the gables of the dormer windows trimmed and the towers truncated at the beginning of the 19th century, giving the building its current appearance.

In the 1890s, the château hosted the sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel, serving as a refuge for the lovers amid the obligations of public life. It was here that Claudel sculpted La petite châtelaine, a bust depicting the six-year-old granddaughter of the château’s owner.

About the Restoration Project

The restoration project is focused on essential repairs following the partial collapse of the attic floor. The rupture of a load-bearing beam led to the collapse of four other beams that make up the floor. Following this incident, which resulted in the immediate closure of this part of the castle to the public, the owners commissioned a specialized timber structure consulting firm to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the castle’s floors.

To assess the condition of the remaining beams supporting the attic floor, the owners removed the flooring made of terracotta blocks and found that a total of 13 beams were severely damaged. Additionally, a pest study revealed the presence of mérule, or dry rot. Currently, the urgency lies in addressing the dry rot (if confirmed by the consulting firm) before proceeding with the repairs to the collapsed section and reinforcing the upper floors of the two adjacent rooms. This work must be completed prior to embarking on the restoration of the attic.

Château de l’Islette Today

The château is surrounded by splendid English-style gardens, which create a harmonious contrast to the raw form of the building. Rare, centuries-old trees, including a row of plane trees, a black walnut, lindens and chestnuts, make these gardens a botanical treasure trove. The main idea, as with many Loire castles, is to tastefully blend the beauty of architecture with the aesthetics of the gardens.

The current owners, who live in the château, are committed to enhancing it and its grounds so that the public can experience the architectural and natural heritage they have cultivated. They offer a variety of activities, including an escape game on the castle grounds, that allow visitors of all ages to discover the value of this unique heritage.

Château de Canon

Feb 12, 2025
The 18th-century Château de Canon is known for its immaculately preserved park, designed with both French and English elements and home to well-kept flowerbeds, wild groves and period structures. Site History & Significance The Italian-style Château de Canon was created in the 18th century by Jean-Baptiste Elie de Beaumont, a prominent lawyer of the Enlightenment […]

Château de Canon

The 18th-century Château de Canon is known for its immaculately preserved park, designed with both French and English elements and home to well-kept flowerbeds, wild groves and period structures.

Site History & Significance

The Italian-style Château de Canon was created in the 18th century by Jean-Baptiste Elie de Beaumont, a prominent lawyer of the Enlightenment era and a friend of Voltaire. It has remained in the same family since then. During the Second World War, it housed a German military hospital and suffered damages from American bombings on its outbuildings.

The château’s park, which holds the prestigious “Remarkable Garden” label, is notable for its well-kept flowerbeds, wild groves and period structures (such as Chinese kiosks and a Greco-Roman temple) whose composition has remained unchanged since the mid-18th century. Referred to as a transitional garden, it is designed with elements of both French and English styles and abounds with streams, waterfalls and canals. The park is also known for the “Chartreuses,” a series of walled gardens entirely planted with perennials, serving as a true open-air greenhouse.

About the Restoration Project

The ongoing restoration of the park poses a major challenge due to the multitude of architectural elements present and the constant maintenance they require. The FHS grant supports restoration of the red Chinese kiosk, one of the park’s emblematic features. Installed in 1781 above the water, the kiosk has miraculously survived the centuries despite its fragility. It occupies a central position in the park, gracefully animating the major east-west axis that structures the gardens.

The last restoration, in 2015, primarily focused on the upper parts and the roof of the structure. Today, the kiosk shows signs of deterioration throughout its lower sections, particularly as regards the balustrades, crosspieces and corner posts. In accordance with the plans established in collaboration with the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles, the current work entails a complete restoration of these lower parts, as well as repainting to preserve the integrity of the structure before the arrival of winter. This project aims to ensure the longevity and beauty of this historical landmark at the heart of the Canon park.

Château de Canon Today

The Château de Canon has been open to visitors since 1982 and welcomes approximately 25,000 people annually. Throughout the year, it organizes guided tours and themed weekends for both adults and children. The château places environmental causes at the core of its activities and is a must-visit stop along the Pays d’Auge cycling route.

Château de Bonrepos-Riquet

Feb 12, 2025
The expansive grounds of the Château de Bonrepos-Riquet informed the design of the Canal du Midi, which in turn inspired Thomas Jefferson’s designs for the Erie Canal. Site History & Significance The Château de Bonrepos-Riquet was the country estate of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the designer of the Canal du Midi, who acquired it in 1651. Rebuilt […]

Château de Bonrepos-Riquet

The expansive grounds of the Château de Bonrepos-Riquet informed the design of the Canal du Midi, which in turn inspired Thomas Jefferson’s designs for the Erie Canal.

Site History & Significance

The Château de Bonrepos-Riquet was the country estate of Pierre-Paul Riquet, the designer of the Canal du Midi, who acquired it in 1651. Rebuilt between 1654 and 1666, the château was erected on the remains of an ancient castle, marked by a platform surrounded by moats. Few elements of the 17th-century decor have survived, as the castle was redesigned and renovated during the 18th and 19th centuries, adapting its style to the tastes of those periods.

In the expansive park, Pierre-Paul Riquet meticulously planned the construction of the now-famous Canal du Midi in the South of France. He utilized the park’s natural features, such as springs and slopes, to experiment with various fundamental techniques used in the realization of the Canal du Midi, including source capture. The Canal du Midi is said to have inspired Thomas Jefferson’s designs for the Erie Canal.

About the Restoration Project

A remarkable feature of the estate, the Nymph Cave brilliantly exemplifies the taste of the time for rocky caves inspired by antiquity. It was designed by Pierre-Paul Riquet on the castle’s south terrace around 1670, using elements imported from Italy. Shell inlays once adorned the walls, framing two facing alcoves. Deemed too damp, caves fell out of fashion in the 18th century, and most of them disappeared from French gardens. Thus, the Bonrepos-Riquet cave serves as a rare and precious testament to the lifestyle of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Today, the structure is at risk of collapsing. It requires a significant restoration program to stabilize its state of preservation and enable its presentation to the general public. At the start of the restoration project, the cave’s original floor and remnants of conduits were uncovered, providing evidence of thoughtful hydraulic activity in relation to the surrounding park.

Château de Bonrepos-Riquet Today

The Bonrepos-Riquet castle hosts cultural and heritage events throughout the year, focusing on the figure of Pierre-Paul Riquet.

Château de Beaumesnil

Feb 12, 2025
A rare example of a baroque castle from the Louis XIII era, the Château de Beaumesnil welcomes visitors to explore its collection of bookbindings, attend cooking demonstrations and stroll its extensive grounds.   Site History & Significance The Domaine de Beaumesnil dates back to 911, but the current château was built between 1633 and 1640. […]

Château de Beaumesnil

A rare example of a baroque castle from the Louis XIII era, the Château de Beaumesnil welcomes visitors to explore its collection of bookbindings, attend cooking demonstrations and stroll its extensive grounds.  

Site History & Significance

The Domaine de Beaumesnil dates back to 911, but the current château was built between 1633 and 1640. Restored in the 19th and 20th centuries, this family castle is surrounded by a 50-hectare park with formal French gardens. A rare example of a baroque castle from the Louis XIII era, the current residence bears the imprint of the waning Renaissance and is primarily built of brick and stone.

The Maistre family owned the château until 1928, when it was sold to Grand Duke Dimitri Pavlovich, who had been exiled from Russia following his participation in Rasputin’s assassination. Pavlovich and his American wife, Audrey Emery, moved into the former stables, which they converted into pavilions. In 1939, Jean Fürstenberg and his wife, Eugénie, acquired the château. They established a museum of ancient bookbindings, a passion of Jean Fürstenberg, and created the Fürstenberg-Beaumesnil Foundation to ensure the long-term future of the château.

About the Restoration Project

The restoration of the baroque-style Fountain of the Four Seasons, located adjacent to the Château de Beaumesnil, is a priority among the projects aimed at preserving the castle’s façade. Then-owner Audrey Emery brought the fountain back from a trip to Italy in the 1930s. Among its features, it is decorated with mascarons that echo the façade of the castle. The current project includes the refurbishment of deteriorated sculptures, particularly the consoles and the chapeau de gendarme (a French architectural element resembling a police officer’s hat), and the consolidation and repointing of the decorations, as well as the fountain’s restoration to a working state. Additionally, there are plans to enhance the fountain with lighting, making it more visible to visitors.

Château de Beaumesnil Today

Now managed by the Fürstenberg-Beaumesnil Foundation, the château is open to the public. In addition to the bookbinding museum, it offers cooking demonstrations and themed tours. Seasonal activities range from a giant living Cluedo known as Murder at the Castle to an Easter egg hunt and summer evening events with fireworks, allowing visitors to experience different aspects of the château and its grounds. 

Abbaye Sainte Marie de Boulaur

Feb 11, 2025
A spiritual and economic center of Gascony until the 20th century, the Abbaye de Boulaur is now inhabited by a dynamic Cistercian community that is breathing new life into the building and the region. Site History & Significance A former priory of the Fontevrault order, the Abbaye de Boulaur was founded in 1142. Built in […]

Abbaye Sainte Marie de Boulaur

A spiritual and economic center of Gascony until the 20th century, the Abbaye de Boulaur is now inhabited by a dynamic Cistercian community that is breathing new life into the building and the region.

Site History & Significance

A former priory of the Fontevrault order, the Abbaye de Boulaur was founded in 1142. Built in the Fontevrist style, the abbey showcases a stunning blend of influences and periods, including the Renaissance, Roman and Gothic. Splendid 14th-century frescoes adorn the choir vaults. The east wing dates to the late 13th century, built with alternating bricks and stones, and was remodeled in the 17th century. In the 17th and 18th centuries, parts of the abbey were modified, and a cloister was built.

A veritable economic, agricultural and spiritual center in the Gascony region, the abbey held remarkable influence until the 20th century, when the nuns who lived there went into exile in Spain following the promulgation of laws expelling congregations. In 1949, it was taken over by a community of Cistercian sisters, who began breathing new life into the building.

About the Restoration Project

The FHS grant supports the restoration of a 13th-century diaphragm arch-vaulted room in the east wing to create a library. Originally conceived as the abbey’s refectory—the reader’s pulpit is still visible—the room was remodeled in the 17th century to accommodate a dormitory on the upper floor. This project will relocate the library to the heart of the abbey, adjacent to the cloister gallery, following the great Cistercian tradition of the scriptorium. A new staircase will also be created to facilitate circulation. This 200-square-meter space will generously accommodate the 50,000 books in the abbey’s collection, including some incunabula, in optimal conditions for conservation and presentation.

Abbaye de Boulaur Today

Today, the abbey is led by a dynamic group of Cistercian nuns who have undertaken numerous projects to raise awareness about their community. The sisters communicate about their daily life on social media, providing insights into everything from spiritual life to restoration work, working the land and meeting with visitors. The abbey is open to the public year-round, and it welcomes visitors to join in the life of the community, whether through weekend work retreats, opportunities for high school and university students to work and pray with the sisters, workdays in the fields and vegetable garden, or tourist visits. These activities are a testament to the community’s desire to make this heritage accessible to all while bringing tourism to the area.