SAVE Europe Publications

Twelve Chateaux and a Mighty Barracks

This is the first of a series of illustrated reports to be published by SAVE Europe's Heritage on historic buildings in need of repair, of new uses or new owners, or simple tender, loving care.

The chateaux are remarkable first of all as fine examples of French architecture, some of high importance, some simply attractive. Second, though they languish gently, almost all stand in a beautiful, largely unspoilt setting, little blighted by modern development. They all therefore have clear potential for revival.

The record of France in protecting and looking after its major monuments, and ensuring they are kept in good repair, is better than any other large and populous European country. Equally private citizens and benefactors have repeatedly stepped in to save fine historic buildings.

The plight of the chateaux illustrated in this report is no way an indictment of general government policy or a wide malaise. Some of these buildings are in trouble because they have been acquired not by French but by foreign investors who have overstretched themselves. Yet the predicament of these buildings is both real and immediate. The philosophy of SAVE Europe's Heritage is that it takes one person or organisation with determination and commitment to save a fine building and it is this spirit that we publish this report.

By Marcus Binney, Calder Loth and Philippe Seydoux

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