Historical Buildings

An ancient stronghold dating back to the 13th century, the Château du Breuil Yvain occupied a key defensive position and was further fortified during the Hundred Years’ War.

Site History

This ancient fortified domain in the lower Berry region dates from the 13th century. Located at the border of the Duchy of Aquitaine, it held an important defensive position along the Creuse river. During the Hundred Years’ War, the King encouraged further fortifications. Constructed in 1450, the chatelet, or fortified gatehouse, dates from this period. A 15th-century postern was subsequently added. Much of the medieval château was destroyed by a fire in the early 18th century, after which a new, more comfortable wing was built in the style of the day, with a classical elegance and grand mansard-style roof.

The current owners are the 20th generation of the same family to own the château. They are overseeing its restoration in order to pass this legacy on to their children and grandchildren.

About the Project

The project concerns the chatelet, built in 1450. Structural problems threaten its strength and durability, necessitating complete restoration of the masonry and rotten or weakened parts of the wooden frame. A testimony to the château’s ancient history, the chatelet stands as an imposing medieval structure beside the more recent 18th-century main building and 15th-century postern.

Château du Breuil Yvain Today

The Château du Breuil Yvain was designated a historic monument in 2021. Its beautifully preserved rooms offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in history. The château was the backdrop for the 1972 movie Mauprat, and it has hosted performances of the Théâtre au Château association. It is expected to reopen in 2026, following completion of a major restoration.  

Built on land that has been in the same family since the Middle Ages, the Château de Magnas combines eclectic architectural styles with a constant concern for harmony.

Site History

The Château de Magnas dates from the 16th century, though extensive alterations were made in the 19th century. On a large vaulted cellar stands a building pierced with a semicircular door and a window with crosspiece and mullion, flanked by a circular tower that overlooks the formerly French-style gardens. The current château borders a square courtyard, flanked by two square towers, with a chapel to the south. A porch located between the chapel and the stables makes it possible to circumvent the château. The western section, on the garden side, was remodeled or built by Hector de Galard at the end of the 19th century. It is bordered by a terrace overlooking the valley below. The first outbuildings, constructed at the end of the 16th century, were restored by the renowned architect Clément Parent at the end of the 19th century. The orangery was built in 1840. 

Today, the imprint of the 19th-century architecture is inseparable from the identity of this property, which has been in the same family since the 15th century and saw Henri IV ride up its alley of oaks. Gustave de Galard (1779–1841), a celebrated regionalist painter, grew up there.

About the Project

The project includes the urgently needed restoration of the roof and wooden support frames of the central body of the château. Additional work is required on the east round tower and pinion, and to consolidate major support beams in the outbuildings.

Château de Magnas Today

The owner has undertaken three projects to increase public access to the site. The first is to become a full member of the European Route of d’Artagnan, a certified Council of Europe Cultural Route, and register as a hosting site in the region. The second is to welcome families for “Musketeer Escapades,” unique country parties around the theme of d’Artagnan. Third, the château will offer company employees a break from their daily lives by organizing special activities that allow them to reconnect with themselves, with nature and with others.

Built with local materials in the 17th century, the Château de la Faucille looks onto terraced gardens descending toward the Oudon river. 

Site History

Located at the crossroads of Brittany, Mayenne and Anjou, the Château de la Faucille is built on the remains of an old fortified château. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1972. The château was built in the 17th century using local red schist and tuffeau. It includes various outbuildings, a grotto and a chapel, where the abjuration of Pierre de la Faucille took place in 1686. To the south, terraced gardens descend toward the Oudon river. The upper terrace includes a large vegetable garden and an orangery. The château has been in the hands of the Boberil family since the 1950s.

About the Project

The restoration project concerns the early 18th-century roof, lanterns and cornices. The owner views the restoration as a means to keep alive building traditions and artisanal skills. He highlights the work of the skilled craftspeople involved at every stage, including stonemasons, carpenters and roofers, who contribute to the transmission of know-how through apprenticeships on-site. This passing down of knowledge is in keeping with the traditions of their predecessors from the 17th and 18th centuries, whose craftsmanship can still be seen in the quality of the stonework and woodwork. 

Château de la Faucille Today

The château receives visitors from June to October and offers a number of cultural activities. As part of the restoration, craftspeople come to train on-site. One carpenter told the owner that he enjoyed going to this site because he had the impression, coming to La Faucille every morning, of arriving at a “little paradise, a bit out of time.”

The hermitage of the writer Jean-Louis Guez de Balzac, this 17th-century château also hosted Marie de Médicis following her escape from exile.

Site History

Located in the town of Balzac and built on the banks of the Charente, this 17th-century château and its park recall the memory of Jean-Louis Guez de Balzac (1597–1654), the famous Charente writer who made it his hermitage. Marie de Médicis, mother of Louis XIII, stayed for six months at the Château de Balzac. Locked up in the Château de Blois by order of the King, she escaped with the help of the Duke of Épernon, godfather of Jean-Louis Guez. He welcomed her to his château, where she stayed from March 4 to August 29, 1619. The current owners rescued the château from ruin and have been restoring it over the past 50 years.

About the Project

The project includes the urgent restoration of the north and east façades of the château, as well as the stables and the north tower. The family has been restoring the château for half a century, and they require aid in order to continue to undertake the necessary restorations to preserve the estate.

Château de Balzac Today

The château welcomes visitors to discover its painted decorations from the 17th century, which have regained their splendor since their restoration in June 2022. It is open to the public from July to August, and the owners offer a daily guided tour of the interior. Highlights of the tour include a large vaulted room with unique acoustics from the 12th–13th century, a 17th-century living room renovated with curved woodwork in the 18th century and 17th-century frescoes. Other notable features of the estate include a paved courtyard, a well, a 17th-century wrought-iron entrance gate, 18th-century colonnades, a 17th-century Charente porch and a Romanesque church from the 12th–13th century.

Rescued from a state of ruin in the 1980s, the Château de Fontariol is an authentic example of a Bourbonnais knight’s château from the Middle Ages.

Site History

Fontariol is a small Bourbonnais knight’s château from the end of the Middle Ages. Modest and rustic, it was likely built between 1450 and 1550. The transformations it underwent in the 18th century were minor, unlike most houses of this style and period. Together with the 18th-century agricultural buildings that surround it, it forms an entirely enclosed ensemble representative of a small Bourbon stronghold. 

Different noble families inhabited the château before the Revolution. Part of the manor was transformed at the end of the 18th century under the ownership of Marguerite de Louan, who, in 1775, left Fontariol to her cousin Charles de Biotieres de Chassincourt, Marquis de Tilly and Brigadier General of the Armies of the King under Louis XVI. In the 19th century, the château became a farm, jointly owned by the Boucomont and Meilheurat families. These two families kept Fontariol as a farm until the end of the 1960s. The estate was in a state of peril by 1987, when it was purchased, saving it from ruin.

About the Project

The restoration project concerns the 15th-century wing of the manor house, including masonry, carpentry, the wooden frame and the roof. This will make the wing accessible, in keeping with the continual restoration of all parts of this former agricultural domain.

Château de Fontariol Today

This now-preserved rural estate hosts cultural activities such as concerts, theater productions and an open-air cinema in the lower courtyard. A cultural association was created in 2018 to further develop these activities. Future plans to promote local tourism include renting out the stateroom and stables for events, opening a bed and breakfast and rural inn, and organizing bike tours of the region.

One of the iconic monuments of Paris, the Grand Palais serves as a major cultural venue, hosting prominent events in the heart of the city.

Site History

Built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle, the Grand Palais has become one of Paris’s iconic monuments. The whole building was constructed utilizing stone, steel and glass; the framework required 8,500 tons of steel—more than the amount used to build the Eiffel Tower. The Grand Palais was one of the first buildings to utilize steel over such a large area, and it ushered in the modern era of innovative construction materials and techniques. The architects selected 40 contemporary artists to produce statues, ceramic and mosaic friezes, and ornaments and other final embellishments, including gilded and bronze works.

In March 2021, after a hectic century of activity, the Grand Palais closed its doors to undergo its most extensive restoration ever. The work will continue until the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when the nave and surrounding galleries will host the fencing and taekwondo competitions. Further work will continue through 2025, in particular for the Palais de la découverte.

About the Project

The gilding of the rotunda of the Palais de la découverte and certain decorative elements of the Salon d’Honneur of the nave will be restored with gold leaf to regain their former majesty. In the rotunda, this includes the pillars featuring allegorical sculptures, the bronze railings of the balconies, and the gilded trophies repeating motifs of flowers and plants. In the nave, the gold leaf restoration will address elements of the railing of the staircase of the Salon d’Honneur and the letters “RF” (République Française).

A masterpiece of metallurgy, the Grand Palais is also an architecture of light and radiance. The Grand Palais restoration campaign is an opportunity to rediscover gilding and bronzes that have been damaged by the passage of time. Leveraging the know-how and skills of prestigious restoration workshops, this project aims to restore radiance to this emblematic monument. It will serve to highlight the artistry and innovation of France’s finest artisans, much as it did when the palace was first inaugurated for the 1900 World’s Fair.

The Grand Palais Today

The current restoration project is a showcase for skilled artisans and the continuation of traditional craftsmanship, also known as patrimoine vivant, or living heritage, transmitted from one generation to the next. Once fully restored, the complex will regain a clarity of layout and purpose. A major cultural venue for prominent national and international events in the heart of Paris, the Grand Palais will continue to host some of the most prestigious events in the capital, from major exhibitions and sporting events to craft fairs and more.

The Château de Prye is distinguished by its majestic park and sumptuous stables featuring marble-paneled stalls. 

Site History

The Château de Prye is an impressive residence dating back to the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, it was owned by the Queen of Poland. Situated within an extensive estate classified as a historic monument, the château is encompassed by seven kilometers of protective walls. The existing park, designed by Édouard André and Henri Duchêne, boasts a history of 150 years. Notably, the château’s stables feature unique marble paneling, making them one of a kind in France. 

The stables of the Château de Prye were constructed in 1887 for Antonin du Bourg de Bozas, a former equerry of Napoleon III and a renowned supporter of the equestrian arts. The main stable building comprises three wings interconnected by a central pavilion, which has an imperial-style dome inspired by the baptismal gate of the Fontainebleau Castle. The layout of the structure revolves around a spacious hall, designed to accommodate horse-drawn carriages. The building includes a luxurious gallery adorned with nine marble-paneled stalls and an indoor riding arena. 

About the Project

Since acquiring the property in 1990, the current owners have implemented several projects to enhance the value of the stables. The existing structures of the dome are concerning: the poplar planks have warped, posing a threat to the Philibert Delorme framework. The bell tower has sagged due to imbalance, and metal sheets have been installed as a temporary covering for the riding arena, replacing the slate roofing, in order to preserve the building. The annex no longer has a roof or framework; only the walls remain, and the joinery is practically nonexistent.

The restoration work aims to restore the stable building by addressing the roofing and framework of the central section, dome, riding arena and annex stables, including masonry repairs to the southern façade. It encompasses restoration of the large glass windows and the interior gallery of the stalls, as well as restoration of the annexes and the vaulted ceiling in the central hall.

Château de Prye Today

Once the stables are restored, owners Antoine-Emmanuel and Magdalena du Bourg de Bozas aim to further develop tourism and cultural activities centered around equestrian pursuits, particularly driving four-horse carriages. In addition to hosting horses and riders, they plan to organize equestrian competitions and other large-scale events to showcase their passion to a broader audience. Plans include renovating the first floor to expand accommodations and hosting a cultural program centred around living heritage, including equestrian arts, falconry, music, singing, artisan crafts, literature and more. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Built in the 13th century, the Château de Vaussieux played a pivotal role in the American victory at Yorktown in the War of Independence.

Site History & Significance

The Château de Vaussieux, originally linked to the Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Longues, was built in the 13th century and reconstructed in the 17th century by Jacques de Thioult. In the 18th century, Philippe Jacques d’Héricy expanded the château by adding a floor and modernized its classical façades. A central pavilion was adorned with a balcony featuring the family coats of arms. Under Louis XVI, the château hosted 30,000 soldiers for military maneuvers to support American insurgents, contributing to the pivotal victory at Yorktown in 1781. Though partially damaged in World War II, it has been restored and features a romantic English-style park.

About the Restoration Project

The restoration project involves maintenance of the front façade, including the repair of the window masonry and the removal of bars added in the 1970s. The restoration also includes a cleaning program using abrasive jetting, a technique recommended by the French Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs.

Château de Vaussieux Today

The Château de Vaussieux, which recently came under new ownership, welcomes members of the public on European Heritage Days every September. In addition, the château hosts an annual reenactment of the Battle of Yorktown in October.