Château de Tiregand (Dordogne)
Site History
The Château de Tiregand was originally built in the 13th century by Edward Tyrgan, son of Henry III of England. It was reconstructed in the 18th century by Jean Charles d’Augeard, who converted parts of the château into wine cellars and gave it its present architectural form. In the 20th century, it came into the possession of the Saint-Exupéry family, relatives of the famous author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
About the Restoration
The restoration project concerns the Belvédère music pavilion, which has been at risk for many years. The first essential step is to secure the structure to prevent its collapse. The FHS restoration grant is focused on this initial phase.
In the second phase, a heritage architect will conduct a study to explore the overall restoration of the pavilion, with the aim of transforming it into a musical gathering spot overlooking the Dordogne Valley.
Château de Tiregand Today
The current owner, Louis Guyot, acquired the Château de Tiregand in 2022 . The château welcomes visitors for tastings of its award-winning wines and guided tours of the estate. The interior is closed to the public except on the annual European Heritage Days in September.
Future plans for the music pavilion include hosting a performance of L’oiseau de feu (The Firebird) by American violinist David Park on a violin that once belonged to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Nicknamed “The Firebird” for the red-orange hue of its varnish, the violin is also known as the “ex-Saint-Exupéry.” As violinist Gerald Elias eloquently expressed regarding the legacy of the Stradivarius, echoing Louis Guyot’s mission to preserve Tiregand: “I avoid using the word ‘owner.’ This is a violin that has never been, nor will ever be owned. It simply gets transferred from the reverential hands of one dedicated caretaker to another, from one century to the next. May humanity enjoy another 300 years of its singular beauty.”
Restoration Project
Belvédère music pavilion
Amount Awarded
$15,000
Grant Sponsor
Atlanta and Southern California Regional Chapters, Danny Kaye and Silvia Fine Kaye Foundation
Year
2025