I have never known two people to be so articulate, you make wonderful presenters amongst your many other skills. These videos are so interesting t listen to because of it..Thank you!
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Thank you! We love sharing our incredible project!
Those stone masons are indeed highly skilled artists! Amazing that the fabric wallpaper backing is 200 years old and in good enough condition to be used again.
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Thanks for your comment. Yes - we're very proud of our artisans. They are saving this remarkable place. And we are constantly amazed by the quality of the materials used in the construction of the Chateau. They have certainly stood the test of time.
The exhilaration of discovering the beauty of Chateau de Purnon, and buying it must have been quite overshadowed at times by the enormity of the task of restoring it. What a huge relief it must be to have grown your team to include M. Didier, so many artisans, and patrons. What an absolute joy to know she's being restored in all her considerable beauty by such an army, and what a contrast to the beginning of your journey with her that must be. Looking forward to more!
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Thank you for your comment. We still remember seeing Purnon for the first time on a cold, wet November morning in 2019. We knew immediately it was the project that we had been looking for. Despite all of the challenges (some expected and many unexpected), we have not regretted our decision to try and save her. We are so grateful for the many skilled people who have joined us on this journey to rescue this wonderful place. We are thrilled that we have been able to share our journey with people from across the world on TH-cam, Instagram, Patreon and through our book 'Chateau Reawakening". Thank you for being part of this journey!
What a wonderful, wonderful episode. You brought to us so much beautiful detail that, by the end, my eyes were filled to overflowing. There is no finer collaboration than that between human eyes and human hands. (I include in that declaration the making of this video.) Thank you.
I am always amazed at the enormity and complexity of this project. You have such talented crafts people and you two are dedicating your lives to Purnon. The chateau and the French people are so fortunate that you have made Purnon your life’s work.
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Thank you! We are very grateful for the incredible work of the artisans who are working with us. We are also fortunate to have secured the services of Monsieur Frederic Didier - our heritage architect. His experience is guiding us through a project of huge scale and complexity as you rightly observe.
Wonderful yet daunting task you have given yourselves. I enjoy every video. Would love an update on the new heating system, cheers.
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Thankfully there's not a great deal to report! It's working well. It's had it's routine maintenance.and everything seems fine. We are in the process of finishing some very minor works to repair some roof slates and attach new guttering to the building in which the system is housed. We are also reflecting on increasing the height of the biomass 'stockage' so that it can hold larger volumes of wood chip. But we must balance that against keeping the restocking system as simple as possible. Overall, we are very happy with the new heating system.
Thank you for the reply. Your dedication and enthusiasm for the overall project is evident in every video. I'm sure there are many challenges but you both make a wonderful team. The careful 'wakening' to save a piece of French cultural history will be appreciated for generations. Best regards, Jeff D @
Attention to detail on this project is phenomenal.
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Thank you! For us, heritage protection and restoration is central to everything we are trying to do here. So the details are carefully researched before new work commences and the craftsmanship is precise and respectful of the building's age.
Wow, your videos are absolutely fascinating. I can't believe how much I learn in 20 minutes from them. It's refreshing to find videos with actual substance on TH-cam. I have unsubscribed from all my other "Chateau Reno" channel subscriptions, realizing now that they are just advertisement delivery vehicles. You guys are undertaking an incredible and important project, and your passion for it really shines in your videos! Thanks for taking us along!
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We are thrilled that you are deriving such enjoyment from our videos. For us, heritage protection is at the heart of our project. We enjoy having our artisans explain what the are doing and how. Sometimes it's a slow and meticulous journey, but therein lies the satisfaction. It's wonderful for us to know that others are as fascinated as we are by all of these elements. Thank you for your comment.
Those other chateau vlog shows and there are many, take the Patreon money, go on vacation, buy boats, buy clothes, buy plates…it’s actually quite vulgar. I also don’t watch them as they are not showing renovation but flaunting the money pit from their lonely viewers.
I found the explanation of the coats of arms really interesting, thank you. I did not know about the colour coding of the directional stripes. Also what amazing deep carving, to allow it to be clearly visible from a distance. So many superb crafts and craftsmen. Love that you are re-hanging the wallpaper on hessian, as it was originally done. 🌹
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Thank you! We're thrilled that you enjoyed all the heraldry!
Fantastic to see to young Aussies restoring this magnificent historic building. I admire your dedication to preserve as much of its original architecture as possible & explaining the history. Hello from Western Australia 🇦🇺👏🏻👏🏻👋🏻👋🏻
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Thank you! We feel like the custodians of this special place rather than the owners as such. We hope that future generations will admire the work that is being done here in our lifetime.
Château roof with the blue slate, is absolutely gorgeous, accompanied by the stone façade being repaired and cleaned, will be spectacular when finished.
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It's amazing to be able to see the contrast between the restored and the unrestored sections of the chateau. While we are loving the restoration journey, we also can't wait to see the final result. Thank you for your interest!
Oh my goodness… I cannot tell you how much I enjoy, listening to the artisans explain how they are repairing the coat of arms, and other things they are doing, fascinating. The roofers are doing an excellent job, and it’s so enjoyable to watch Chateaux de Purnon come back to life.
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Thank you! We are thrilled that you are deriving such enjoyment from our restoration journey.
The finished part of your roof is looking spectacular 😊
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Thanks! It's a unique opportunity to be able to compare the restored section with the part they are still working on (including a small section where the old slates are still in place).
Ich glaube das Schloss wird nach seiner Restaurierung wunderschön aussehen. Wie schön, dass es Menschen wie Sie gibt, die dieses Schloss zum Leben erwecken. 😍
Thanks for the explanation about the coats of arms - very interesting indeed. Your tradies and artisans are wonderful, they make it look so easy, but it takes a lot of practice & skill to be that good. The chateau is in safe hands :)
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Thank you! We're very proud of our artisans. We're thrilled that you enjoyed all the heraldry!
It’s good to see that work ism proceeding slowly and with great precision. I think that in a hundred years people will marvel that such care was taken. I think it is highly unusual and much to be admired.
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Thank you for our comment and for following our journey. We go as fast as we can while safeguarding heritage - which is our central goal. The artisans take enormous care to ensure that the work is done properly and in the correct order. We are very grateful for the care that they take.
Wow guys purnon is looking amazing it’s really coming along really enjoy watching.. many blessing to you both thank you so much for saving this beautiful architectural heritage.
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Thank you! Thrilled that you're following our journey.
Thank you Tim, for the fantastic insight into the history of the Coat of Arms. The stonemasons are doing a fabulous job replacing and repairing the blockwork with what looks like first class restoration. Thank you Felicity for showing us your progress with the first floors ensuite, I look forward to seeing the replacement wallpaper and eventually the finished ensuite. The Chateau Chei is coming along nicely and I'm sure there will be more history to share from your findings in that building. Keep up the great work that you are all doing and please take care of yourselves. I look forward to your next update. from, Heather in Australia 🌻
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Thanks Heather. We are thrilled that people enjoy both the history and the restoration works themselves.
Encore une superbe vidéo, vous avez trouver le bon rythme je pense😊😊😊 , je pensais que vous pourriez diffuser les vieilles vidéos patreon, pour ceux comme moi ,qui ne le sont pas
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Merci beaucoup! Merci aussi pour votre suggestion. Nous avons promis à nos abonnès Patreon du contenu exclusif. Nous devons respecter cette promesse. Mais nous avons créé une énorme quantité de contenu gratuit sur TH-cam et sur Instagram.
When the escutcheon on the pediments was carved it was done in situ. Most of the other stone work could be done on the ground but those coats of arms were carved from stone that projected to the furthest point of the detail. You can still see some unfinished details on the Met museum in New York. The capitals of the columns on the Frederick Vanderbilt mansion in Hyde Park, New York were also done that way. There is less risk of damaging them then hoisting them into place finished. The MET didn't have the budget to finish them back around the turn of the 20th century and they still don't know what to do there. Apparently there are no drawings to show what the architects intended. A sculptor was expected to fill out the idea on the basis of a suggestion. In the recreation of the staircase at Versailles that Gabriel intended to build to replace the old Ambassador's staircase, uncarved stone blanks were set in the walls. The restorers didn't have more than a suggestion of what the typical ornamental motifs would have been so left it blank. That kind of improvisation is very like the music of the time. Composers expected the musicians to be able to fill in the blanks. We don't hear that anymore because later publishers of music from that period filled in the blanks with a best guess. The monarchy was overthrown before that staircase was ever built. I suppose those blanks will never be carved? BTW - People tend to think the french revolution wiped out the nobility but the process started even earlier under Louis XIV. To create a modern state his government removed the high nobility from many administrative roles and replaced them with the King's intendants who did most of the administrative duties in the provinces. One of the great tragedies of history is that the government of Louis XIV knew the taxation of the country was unfair and inefficient. There were proposals at that time to create a more rational and fair property tax regime but even the king couldn't get it past the resistance of the noblesse. It took the french revolution to finally wipe out the feudal residue and put the country on a more stable and fair tax regime. The revolution had significant noble support at first. Many wanted their feudal prerogatives restored. Instead they lost it all. BTW - Have you ever tried to calculate how much total area is under roof in all the buildings? It's always amazing how gigantic that complex is? Maybe I missed it but I think I've seen all of them so far. Why would anyone build a floor that can't be walked on? The floor didn't look much less substantial than those you see in the Italian DIYer,s villa and farmhouse restorations. That herringbone brickwork outside on the upper level looks like something to keep exposed.
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Thank you for your comments - very comprehensive. To answer a couple of the specific questions that you have asked: 1) Total area under all the buildings. We have not calculated every building (there are more than a dozen outbuildings). The chateau itself is 400 square metres for each level and so 2000 square metres in total. 2) Why create a floor that can't be walked on? It's really a ceiling that was created by filling the spaces between the oak beams that provide the structural support for the Chai. Based on other modifications made to the building, it was probably done to reduce the amount of natural light entering the building (several windows have also been filled in). So structurally, it was less important to create a floor for the attic, but rather to create a ceiling for the barrel room. At some stage someone has temporarily placed large timber planks that traverse the oak beams.... These narrow planks can be walked on. I would discourage it. 3) Your question regarding the brickwork - The herringbone brickwork on the facade will remain exposed. On the back of the chai is a render (now badly decayed) that had a faux brickwork pattern engraved on it. Very little of that render still exists today, but it was never intended to cover the brickwork but rather to mimic it.
@ - The grand total must be enormous. When you are all finished you could have one of those lists that were so popular when the big buildings in Manhattan were still so amazing. They used to love publishing the vital statistics. Now no one even notices eve thought most f the newer ones probably have as much or more enclosed space than is under roof in the rural NH town I live in. The outbuildings are probably larger than the largest house in this town, mabe in the state? Is there any record of how many people - family and staff - lived on site? I''ll guess a few dozen. Thanks for the reply.. It is also amazing you are restoring the building to it's 18th century state. No insulation anywhere.so far so are you going to insulate a private apartment? e
Pas grave pour les vidéos😄😄Pour les Français, vous pouvez faire un don sur la Fondation du Patrimoine, don défiscaler, comme je vient de le faire, Longue vie au château^^
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Merci pour votre message et votre généreux soutien!
I think a see thru glass (scope, binoculars) at ground level to use to observe the sculptures on the fasade would bring them closer to the eye to observe and appreciate
I am mesmerized by the beauty of it all! One question, there is so much restoration going on at one time I can't help but wonder how you are able to keep everything in focus, do you have a project manager that keeps everything on schedule?
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Thank you for your comment and interest in our project to save Purnon. You are quite right - there is a great deal happening at the moment. By law in France when you restore buildings of such high heritage value, you must engage the services of an architect qualified to work on heritage monuments. We are extremely fortunate to have secured the services of Monsieur Frederic Didier, who is the architect in charge at the Chateau of Versailles. Without his expertise and experience we could not manage a project of this size and complexity. We are also using different teams of artisans to work on different projects - so, for example the roofing team that is restoring the Chateau itself comes from a different company than the roofing team restoring the chai roof. The same with stone masons. One company is working on the chateau facades while a different company does the chai and various other projects around the domain. Some days it still feels overwhelming but we are determined to save as much as we can and to respect the heritage and history of this place at all times.
Do you think Purnon can produce wine again in the future?
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Thanks for our comment. It's certainly theoretically possible. We have enough land and wine grapes have been cultivated here before. The equipment in the chai (barrel room) is well past its 'use by' date but the concrete vats are in superb condition. However, right now we have to focus on saving the Chateau and the key outbuildings so that is our priority.
Is putting some sort of insulation behind the hessian and option, or is this going to be a restoration to how it was 300 years ago?
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Thank you for your question. We are placing insulation under the floors when we lift them (for example to place plumbing infrastructure there or to replace rotted floor boards). We also place insulation in wall cavities when we are required to access a wall for some part of the restoration. There is also a thin insulation membrane being placed in the roof as part of the roof restoration. So for the first time many parts of the chateau will have some modest insulation. However, we are not placing it behind the hessian backing. The purpose of the void is to allow air to flow. It has actually worked remarkably well for two centuries (hence the condition of the hessian backing and the wall papers) and we want to respect this element of the building's original design
Hi. Why not use the old wood from the Chai´s roof to make items that sell? Frames for mirrors, little wood items... Greetings from Germany Chris
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Hi Chris, thanks for your comment. The wood that is sitting on the attic floor in the Chai is very rotted. It was removed from the roof itself decades ago because it was no longer viable on the roof to support the tiles and needed to be replaced. It was then abandoned in a somewhat leaky attic for a long time. Most of it is in very poor condition.
What a pitty- here they sold the old roof tiles of very old tower, helping the restoration costs 🙂 Greetings from Germany Chris@
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Yes, we are selling our old slate tiles as drink coasters. We are also reusing many old oak beams that we recovered from other projects as part of the Chai roof restoration. We've also managed to recover and reuse many of the old terracotta tiles. But, sadly, the wood from the battens is rotted.
I would be curious to know how the chateau and grounds work with inheritance. When, or if you can, leave it to your heirs, will it be theirs totally or does the govt. reclaim it all upon your passing?
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Thank you! We fear trying to explain French inheritance laws may get a little complicated. To answer your central question, any money from the French government to support the restoration does not need to be paid back upon anyone's passing. More generally, French inheritance is quite complex. In the 19th century, the law was changed to make sure that all children were treated broadly equally when parents passed away. While the advantages of this from a social perspective are understandable, for many chateaux it has been a bit of a disaster. When we purchased Purnon, there were 11 different owners from different branches of the family who sold it to us. When a chateau is owned by so many different people, maintaining and protecting it becomes very complicated. This sometimes explains why so many chateaux are in peril. We hope that answers your question!
I was curious as to what the new hessian(sp?) material was made of. Also curious as to what kind of paper will go on the hessian next before adding the final wallpaper layer.
Yes, Sarah is spot on in her comment below. The backing was made from jute. In French, this kind of backing is literally called 'Toile de Jute' or jute cloth. I think in English we sometimes call it burlap which is a loosely woven cloth made from the fibres of the jute plant. We just say hessian backing here at the Chateau as most people can envisage what we are talking about.
That is what I thought. It is a thing that has lasted hundreds of years, and it is amazing that it is still made today. Absolutley loved that you spoke of the reason why hessian backing is used in a chateau with soft stone walls.@
Was the stone mason compagny recommanded by les batiments de France??
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Thanks for your question. They don't make recommendations as such. In order for companies to work on heritage buildings they must be suitably qualified and experienced. Various companies submit tenders for the different elements of the project. Their bids are assessed by our architect and each bid is given a numerical score based on the company's capacity to deliver the project, price etc. We then use this score as a tool to select the successful companies.
@ChateaudePurnon ok, because I found "the tutorial" of the mason a bit light/ too simple in his approach, and would be worry to damage stone cullet, I've got a similar job to do in my own, have a fronton too, doing a lot of researches... probably worry because a previous renovation 20y ago ruined some stones, was too agressive on them... I have to specify my stones are more fragile than Tuffaut, anyway would love having your feeback, wish you all the best. Jean-Baptiste
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I'm sorry you found his description a little simple. It was not supposed to be a 'tutoria'l, but rather a description of the process of restoring the facade for a general audience of non-specialists. We can reassure you that there is nothing simple about their approach and the stone is carefully protected. For what it's worth our stonemasons (SOPOREN) are one of the companies working on the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris. They are unquestionably a highly respected company. By way of clarification our Loire Valley stone is called 'tuffeau' (both in English and in French). We wish you every success with your pediment restoration. We hope you get the result you are seeking. Thank you for following our journey.
It would be cool if you could visit the graves of the original chateau owners!
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Monsieur Antoine-Charles Achard de la Haye and his wife Madame de la Motte-Barace are buried at the village cemetery here in Verrue. The gravestones have long since eroded but the plot numbers are marked on a map held at the local mayor's office. It's a small cemetery and we have visited them. Thank you for your comment and interest.
Does anybody knows or is it me sometimes the new roof is on the left and sometimes the new roof is on the right video flip-flopping
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It's possible that you are sometimes seeing the Chateau viewed from the front and sometimes from the back. The nature of this architectural style is symmetry, so it sometimes takes a moment to tell which facade you are viewing. The easiest thing to do is look for the bridge. If you can see the bridge that traverses the dry moat, it means you're looking at the chateau from the south. If there is no bridge and instead you see the terrace, you can be sure you're viewing Chateau de Purnon from the north. The restored roof and facades are on the eastern side of the chateau. But if the video is quite old, you may be seeing that wing still covered in scaffolding with no works commenced on the western side.
If the French Antiquities Department has so many requirements, because "this chateau is so important ", why didn't the government restore the chateau???
Well, even if this château is important, it is still a private property. There are about 40 000 châteaux in France, most of them being private estates (like Purnon). You can easily imagine that the public finances would not be able to take in charge all the restorations of the 40 000 châteaux. Besides, people would not understand why their taxes should be used for private homes. That is why there is a system in the country with which châteaux owners can ask for financial help. From the moment you are selected and receive public money, you have to follow certain rules. Unless I am wrong, that is the deal. And we must admit that Felicity and Tim do a fantastic job in Purnon ! They are truly passionate.
@@heliedecastanet1882 I certainly agree that the owners are doing a great job! I am ust surprised that the antiquities people can put so many requirements on a (even the interior of) privately owned property. Even the owners admit that they won't finish in their lifetime. It is a very curious arrangement. Thank you for your insight!
@@RonDavidson-c3h Unless I am wrong (maybe Felicity and Tim can correct me) I suppose it depends on how far the monument is listed (sometimes it is just the exteriors which are listed, sometimes some interiors, sometimes everything…). That is something you know when you buy such a monument, hence there is no surprise, except for those who don't have all the informations - like you or me, I guess.
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Thank you both for your comments. It's a really important issue. This is how we feel at Purnon. Firstly, we respect the rules that are in place to protect these incredible properties. We knew the rules when we purchased Purnon and we want to undertake a restoration that respects its incredible heritage. Secondly, we are very grateful for the financial assistance we are receiving from the French Government (via DRAC) to carry out this project. Although we have committed our life savings, we could not restore Purnon by ourselves. Thirdly, it does not worry us that we may not finish in our lifetime. Some of these buildings have been here for more than a quarter of a millennium (!). It is our responsibility to protect them so that future generations can enjoy them. Every one will have different views about how taxes should be spent and how government rules should operate. This is how we feel.
How long is mortar going to really last?? No way you get more than a decade or two out of that repair job. Seems like it would've been longer lasting to chisel out the stone and replace it entirely.
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Thanks for your comment. If you watch a range of our videos you will see a variety of stone masonry techniques demonstrated and explained. Hundreds of stones have indeed been replaced. As a general comment, the restoration at Chateau de Purnon is being undertaken by experienced heritage stone masons (they are working on the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris also). Their work here at Purnon is being supervised and led by Monsieur Frederic Didier who is the architect in charge at the Chateau of Versailles. It's fair bet that these highly experienced and well trained people know what they are doing. Thank you for following our journey.
They are considered a migratory bird? Like a swallow? I think it would have to be clarified if it was an African swallow or a European swallow. I’m just sayin’. Perhaps at the top of the coronet those are actually coconuts…the swallows could grab them by the husk.
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Thanks for your question... not sure we fully understand what you are asking. But the merlette is a mythical bird often depicted in French heraldry. It is not the same as a martlet in English heraldry which is a little more like a swift, swallow or martin. The French merlette is more like a duck (which is a migratory bird). But the key element is that the merlette is mythical - it's purpose is to symbolise certain virtues or to emphasise an element of the story of the family for whom the coat of arms was created. Thanks for your comment and interest.
Thank you for taking my response seriously. Though I was kidding. I was referencing the movie “Monty Pythons Search for the Holy Grail”. There’s 5 minutes dedicated to the question. You guys rock.
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We apologise for taking your question seriously! At least we tried...{exits to rewatch Holy Grail}...
I have never known two people to be so articulate, you make wonderful presenters amongst your many other skills. These videos are so interesting t listen to because of it..Thank you!
Thank you! We love sharing our incredible project!
Those stone masons are indeed highly skilled artists! Amazing that the fabric wallpaper backing is 200 years old and in good enough condition to be used again.
Thanks for your comment. Yes - we're very proud of our artisans. They are saving this remarkable place. And we are constantly amazed by the quality of the materials used in the construction of the Chateau. They have certainly stood the test of time.
The exhilaration of discovering the beauty of Chateau de Purnon, and buying it must have been quite overshadowed at times by the enormity of the task of restoring it. What a huge relief it must be to have grown your team to include M. Didier, so many artisans, and patrons. What an absolute joy to know she's being restored in all her considerable beauty by such an army, and what a contrast to the beginning of your journey with her that must be. Looking forward to more!
Thank you for your comment. We still remember seeing Purnon for the first time on a cold, wet November morning in 2019. We knew immediately it was the project that we had been looking for. Despite all of the challenges (some expected and many unexpected), we have not regretted our decision to try and save her. We are so grateful for the many skilled people who have joined us on this journey to rescue this wonderful place. We are thrilled that we have been able to share our journey with people from across the world on TH-cam, Instagram, Patreon and through our book 'Chateau Reawakening". Thank you for being part of this journey!
I love the history lessons! It somehow makes everything more beautiful ❤
Thank you! We are thrilled that you are enjoying our journey.
French artisans are truly the best in the world
Thank you for your comment. We are hugely proud of the incredible artisans who are saving this amazing place.
These are compagnons du devoir. The only workers allowed on historal classified building a notch above all.
What a wonderful, wonderful episode. You brought to us so much beautiful detail that, by the end, my eyes were filled to overflowing. There is no finer collaboration than that between human eyes and human hands. (I include in that declaration the making of this video.) Thank you.
Thank you - a wonderful sentiment!
I am always amazed at the enormity and complexity of this project. You have such talented crafts people and you two are dedicating your lives to Purnon. The chateau and the French people are so fortunate that you have made Purnon your life’s work.
Thank you! We are very grateful for the incredible work of the artisans who are working with us. We are also fortunate to have secured the services of Monsieur Frederic Didier - our heritage architect. His experience is guiding us through a project of huge scale and complexity as you rightly observe.
Wonderful yet daunting task you have given yourselves. I enjoy every video. Would love an update on the new heating system, cheers.
Thankfully there's not a great deal to report! It's working well. It's had it's routine maintenance.and everything seems fine. We are in the process of finishing some very minor works to repair some roof slates and attach new guttering to the building in which the system is housed. We are also reflecting on increasing the height of the biomass 'stockage' so that it can hold larger volumes of wood chip. But we must balance that against keeping the restocking system as simple as possible. Overall, we are very happy with the new heating system.
Thank you for the reply. Your dedication and enthusiasm for the overall project is evident in every video. I'm sure there are many challenges but you both make a wonderful team. The careful 'wakening' to save a piece of French cultural history will be appreciated for generations. Best regards, Jeff D @
Attention to detail on this project is phenomenal.
Thank you! For us, heritage protection and restoration is central to everything we are trying to do here. So the details are carefully researched before new work commences and the craftsmanship is precise and respectful of the building's age.
Wow, your videos are absolutely fascinating. I can't believe how much I learn in 20 minutes from them. It's refreshing to find videos with actual substance on TH-cam. I have unsubscribed from all my other "Chateau Reno" channel subscriptions, realizing now that they are just advertisement delivery vehicles.
You guys are undertaking an incredible and important project, and your passion for it really shines in your videos! Thanks for taking us along!
We are thrilled that you are deriving such enjoyment from our videos. For us, heritage protection is at the heart of our project. We enjoy having our artisans explain what the are doing and how. Sometimes it's a slow and meticulous journey, but therein lies the satisfaction. It's wonderful for us to know that others are as fascinated as we are by all of these elements. Thank you for your comment.
Those other chateau vlog shows and there are many, take the Patreon money, go on vacation, buy boats, buy clothes, buy plates…it’s actually quite vulgar. I also don’t watch them as they are not showing renovation but flaunting the money pit from their lonely viewers.
This is an absolutely fabulous journey to be a part of. The restoration processes are incredible. ❤
Thank you! We're thrilled that you're enjoying it.
I found the explanation of the coats of arms really interesting, thank you. I did not know about the colour coding of the directional stripes. Also what amazing deep carving, to allow it to be clearly visible from a distance. So many superb crafts and craftsmen. Love that you are re-hanging the wallpaper on hessian, as it was originally done. 🌹
Thank you! We're thrilled that you enjoyed all the heraldry!
Fantastic to see to young Aussies restoring this magnificent historic
building. I admire your dedication to preserve as much of its original architecture as possible & explaining the history.
Hello from Western Australia 🇦🇺👏🏻👏🏻👋🏻👋🏻
Thank you! We feel like the custodians of this special place rather than the owners as such. We hope that future generations will admire the work that is being done here in our lifetime.
They are truly wonderful !
Château roof with the blue slate, is absolutely gorgeous, accompanied by the stone façade being repaired and cleaned, will be spectacular when finished.
It's amazing to be able to see the contrast between the restored and the unrestored sections of the chateau. While we are loving the restoration journey, we also can't wait to see the final result. Thank you for your interest!
Wonderful work to see the tile, carpenters and craftsmen make this home come back! Thank you for posting your progress!
That Coat of Arms is awesome! I can't wait to see it all finished! 😃
Thank you! Yes, we're very excited to see it all finished.
LOVE the detailed piece on Heraldry
Thank you! We're thrilled you enjoyed it.
Dech beroucí rekonstrukce , děkuji za možnost být u toho a vidět to prostřednictvím videí . Přeji mnoho úspěchů.
Oh my goodness… I cannot tell you how much I enjoy, listening to the artisans explain how they are repairing the coat of arms, and other things they are doing, fascinating. The roofers are doing an excellent job, and it’s so enjoyable to watch Chateaux de Purnon come back to life.
Thank you! We are thrilled that you are deriving such enjoyment from our restoration journey.
Wow what an amazing historical knowledge on the coat of arms....fascinating!
Thank you - it's amazing how much is being told to us if we can just find the clues. We're thrilled you enjoyed it.
The finished part of your roof is looking spectacular 😊
Thanks! It's a unique opportunity to be able to compare the restored section with the part they are still working on (including a small section where the old slates are still in place).
Lovely, hard working, sweet, and beautiful lady! 🇺🇸
So many interesting insights. Coat of arms, new hessian, the new roof looking like an old one...love it. 🥰
Thank you!
The chateau is becoming beautiful!
Even more beautiful! Thank you!
La qualité du travail des artisans est admirable.
Merci - nous sommes d'accord avec vous.
Ich glaube das Schloss wird nach seiner Restaurierung wunderschön aussehen. Wie schön, dass es Menschen wie Sie gibt, die dieses Schloss zum Leben erwecken. 😍
Vielen Dank fûr Ihnren Kommentar.
Dankjewel voor de update van jullie fantastische mooie historische kasteel en geschiedenis. En de energie wat jullie uitstralen.👍🏻💪🏻💪🏻
By far Chateau de Purnon restoration and beauty is my favorite! She is so beautiful! Your presentation is exemplary! Thank You.
We're thrilled you're enjoying our journey. Thanks for your message.
Thanks for the explanation about the coats of arms - very interesting indeed. Your tradies and artisans are wonderful, they make it look so easy, but it takes a lot of practice & skill to be that good. The chateau is in safe hands :)
Thank you! We're very proud of our artisans. We're thrilled that you enjoyed all the heraldry!
It’s good to see that work ism proceeding slowly and with great precision. I think that in a hundred years people will marvel that such care was taken. I think it is highly unusual and much to be admired.
Thank you for our comment and for following our journey. We go as fast as we can while safeguarding heritage - which is our central goal. The artisans take enormous care to ensure that the work is done properly and in the correct order. We are very grateful for the care that they take.
Wow guys purnon is looking amazing it’s really coming along really enjoy watching.. many blessing to you both thank you so much for saving this beautiful architectural heritage.
Thank you! Thrilled that you're following our journey.
Thank you Tim, for the fantastic insight into the history of the Coat of Arms. The stonemasons are doing a fabulous job replacing and repairing the blockwork with what looks like first class restoration.
Thank you Felicity for showing us your progress with the first floors ensuite, I look forward to seeing the replacement wallpaper and eventually the finished ensuite.
The Chateau Chei is coming along nicely and I'm sure there will be more history to share from your findings in that building.
Keep up the great work that you are all doing and please take care of yourselves. I look forward to your next update.
from, Heather in Australia 🌻
Thanks Heather. We are thrilled that people enjoy both the history and the restoration works themselves.
What a beautiful coat of arms ❤❤❤
It's amazing to see them both up close.
Another good and interesting video, l love History,
Thanks for your message. It's amazing how much there is to discover by taking the time to look carefully at what is right in front of us.
Good progress.
It's good for our morale! Thank you!
@ Absolutely!
I love this journey
Thank you! We enjoy sharing as much as we can.
Just wow!
Thank you!
Mind blowing ❤
Thank you!
Love the history. Wonderful video
Thank you!
Encore une superbe vidéo, vous avez trouver le bon rythme je pense😊😊😊 , je pensais que vous pourriez diffuser les vieilles vidéos patreon, pour ceux comme moi ,qui ne le sont pas
Merci beaucoup! Merci aussi pour votre suggestion. Nous avons promis à nos abonnès Patreon du contenu exclusif. Nous devons respecter cette promesse. Mais nous avons créé une énorme quantité de contenu gratuit sur TH-cam et sur Instagram.
When the escutcheon on the pediments was carved it was done in situ. Most of the other stone work could be done on the ground but those coats of arms were carved from stone that projected to the furthest point of the detail. You can still see some unfinished details on the Met museum in New York. The capitals of the columns on the Frederick Vanderbilt mansion in Hyde Park, New York were also done that way. There is less risk of damaging them then hoisting them into place finished. The MET didn't have the budget to finish them back around the turn of the 20th century and they still don't know what to do there. Apparently there are no drawings to show what the architects intended. A sculptor was expected to fill out the idea on the basis of a suggestion.
In the recreation of the staircase at Versailles that Gabriel intended to build to replace the old Ambassador's staircase, uncarved stone blanks were set in the walls. The restorers didn't have more than a suggestion of what the typical ornamental motifs would have been so left it blank. That kind of improvisation is very like the music of the time. Composers expected the musicians to be able to fill in the blanks. We don't hear that anymore because later publishers of music from that period filled in the blanks with a best guess. The monarchy was overthrown before that staircase was ever built. I suppose those blanks will never be carved?
BTW - People tend to think the french revolution wiped out the nobility but the process started even earlier under Louis XIV. To create a modern state his government removed the high nobility from many administrative roles and replaced them with the King's intendants who did most of the administrative duties in the provinces. One of the great tragedies of history is that the government of Louis XIV knew the taxation of the country was unfair and inefficient. There were proposals at that time to create a more rational and fair property tax regime but even the king couldn't get it past the resistance of the noblesse.
It took the french revolution to finally wipe out the feudal residue and put the country on a more stable and fair tax regime. The revolution had significant noble support at first. Many wanted their feudal prerogatives restored. Instead they lost it all.
BTW - Have you ever tried to calculate how much total area is under roof in all the buildings? It's always amazing how gigantic that complex is? Maybe I missed it but I think I've seen all of them so far.
Why would anyone build a floor that can't be walked on? The floor didn't look much less substantial than those you see in the Italian DIYer,s villa and farmhouse restorations. That herringbone brickwork outside on the upper level looks like something to keep exposed.
Thank you for your comments - very comprehensive. To answer a couple of the specific questions that you have asked: 1) Total area under all the buildings. We have not calculated every building (there are more than a dozen outbuildings). The chateau itself is 400 square metres for each level and so 2000 square metres in total. 2) Why create a floor that can't be walked on? It's really a ceiling that was created by filling the spaces between the oak beams that provide the structural support for the Chai. Based on other modifications made to the building, it was probably done to reduce the amount of natural light entering the building (several windows have also been filled in). So structurally, it was less important to create a floor for the attic, but rather to create a ceiling for the barrel room. At some stage someone has temporarily placed large timber planks that traverse the oak beams.... These narrow planks can be walked on. I would discourage it. 3) Your question regarding the brickwork - The herringbone brickwork on the facade will remain exposed. On the back of the chai is a render (now badly decayed) that had a faux brickwork pattern engraved on it. Very little of that render still exists today, but it was never intended to cover the brickwork but rather to mimic it.
@ - The grand total must be enormous. When you are all finished you could have one of those lists that were so popular when the big buildings in Manhattan were still so amazing. They used to love publishing the vital statistics. Now no one even notices eve thought most f the newer ones probably have as much or more enclosed space than is under roof in the rural NH town I live in. The outbuildings are probably larger than the largest house in this town, mabe in the state? Is there any record of how many people - family and staff - lived on site? I''ll guess a few dozen.
Thanks for the reply.. It is also amazing you are restoring the building to it's 18th century state. No insulation anywhere.so far so are you going to insulate a private apartment?
e
Exciting work guys. Well done
Thanks!
Pas grave pour les vidéos😄😄Pour les Français, vous pouvez faire un don sur la Fondation du Patrimoine, don défiscaler, comme je vient de le faire, Longue vie au château^^
Merci pour votre message et votre généreux soutien!
Lovely chateau!!! I have been watching for a while. Love every project and how it’s coming along!!
Thank you! Keep watching!
I think a see thru glass (scope, binoculars) at ground level to use to observe the sculptures on the fasade would bring them closer to the eye to observe and appreciate
It is looking lovely.
Restoring her former splendour. Thanks for watching.
Voila! What skilled artisans they are. Your beautiful chateau is lucky to have such a team working on the restoration.
Thank you. We are very proud of the incredible work they're doing.
I was SO glad to see you putting new Hessian cloth up. Are you concerned about dust mites or tiny insects living in the old cloth?
I enjoyed this episode flitting from one project to another
Thank you! There is a lot happening on different elements at the moment and we are doing our best to share as much as possible.
I am mesmerized by the beauty of it all! One question, there is so much restoration going on at one time I can't help but wonder how you are able to keep everything in focus, do you have a project manager that keeps everything on schedule?
Thank you for your comment and interest in our project to save Purnon. You are quite right - there is a great deal happening at the moment. By law in France when you restore buildings of such high heritage value, you must engage the services of an architect qualified to work on heritage monuments. We are extremely fortunate to have secured the services of Monsieur Frederic Didier, who is the architect in charge at the Chateau of Versailles. Without his expertise and experience we could not manage a project of this size and complexity. We are also using different teams of artisans to work on different projects - so, for example the roofing team that is restoring the Chateau itself comes from a different company than the roofing team restoring the chai roof. The same with stone masons. One company is working on the chateau facades while a different company does the chai and various other projects around the domain. Some days it still feels overwhelming but we are determined to save as much as we can and to respect the heritage and history of this place at all times.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question! @
Do you think Purnon can produce wine again in the future?
Thanks for our comment. It's certainly theoretically possible. We have enough land and wine grapes have been cultivated here before. The equipment in the chai (barrel room) is well past its 'use by' date but the concrete vats are in superb condition. However, right now we have to focus on saving the Chateau and the key outbuildings so that is our priority.
Intresangt at följa er
Very spiffy
They tell an amazing story when decoded.
Is putting some sort of insulation behind the hessian and option, or is this going to be a restoration to how it was 300 years ago?
Thank you for your question. We are placing insulation under the floors when we lift them (for example to place plumbing infrastructure there or to replace rotted floor boards). We also place insulation in wall cavities when we are required to access a wall for some part of the restoration. There is also a thin insulation membrane being placed in the roof as part of the roof restoration. So for the first time many parts of the chateau will have some modest insulation. However, we are not placing it behind the hessian backing. The purpose of the void is to allow air to flow. It has actually worked remarkably well for two centuries (hence the condition of the hessian backing and the wall papers) and we want to respect this element of the building's original design
Hi. Why not use the old wood from the Chai´s roof to make items that sell? Frames for mirrors, little wood items... Greetings from Germany Chris
Hi Chris, thanks for your comment. The wood that is sitting on the attic floor in the Chai is very rotted. It was removed from the roof itself decades ago because it was no longer viable on the roof to support the tiles and needed to be replaced. It was then abandoned in a somewhat leaky attic for a long time. Most of it is in very poor condition.
What a pitty- here they sold the old roof tiles of very old tower, helping the restoration costs 🙂 Greetings from Germany Chris@
Yes, we are selling our old slate tiles as drink coasters. We are also reusing many old oak beams that we recovered from other projects as part of the Chai roof restoration. We've also managed to recover and reuse many of the old terracotta tiles. But, sadly, the wood from the battens is rotted.
💙🇦🇺
I would be curious to know how the chateau and grounds work with inheritance. When, or if you can, leave it to your heirs, will it be theirs totally or does the govt. reclaim it all upon your passing?
Thank you! We fear trying to explain French inheritance laws may get a little complicated. To answer your central question, any money from the French government to support the restoration does not need to be paid back upon anyone's passing. More generally, French inheritance is quite complex. In the 19th century, the law was changed to make sure that all children were treated broadly equally when parents passed away. While the advantages of this from a social perspective are understandable, for many chateaux it has been a bit of a disaster. When we purchased Purnon, there were 11 different owners from different branches of the family who sold it to us. When a chateau is owned by so many different people, maintaining and protecting it becomes very complicated. This sometimes explains why so many chateaux are in peril. We hope that answers your question!
Thank you. @
I was curious as to what the new hessian(sp?) material was made of. Also curious as to what kind of paper will go on the hessian next before adding the final wallpaper layer.
Usually made from the plant Jute
Yes, Sarah is spot on in her comment below. The backing was made from jute. In French, this kind of backing is literally called 'Toile de Jute' or jute cloth. I think in English we sometimes call it burlap which is a loosely woven cloth made from the fibres of the jute plant. We just say hessian backing here at the Chateau as most people can envisage what we are talking about.
That is what I thought. It is a thing that has lasted hundreds of years, and it is amazing that it is still made today. Absolutley loved that you spoke of the reason why hessian backing is used in a chateau with soft stone walls.@
Was the stone mason compagny recommanded by les batiments de France??
Thanks for your question. They don't make recommendations as such. In order for companies to work on heritage buildings they must be suitably qualified and experienced. Various companies submit tenders for the different elements of the project. Their bids are assessed by our architect and each bid is given a numerical score based on the company's capacity to deliver the project, price etc. We then use this score as a tool to select the successful companies.
@ChateaudePurnon ok, because I found "the tutorial" of the mason a bit light/ too simple in his approach, and would be worry to damage stone cullet, I've got a similar job to do in my own, have a fronton too, doing a lot of researches... probably worry because a previous renovation 20y ago ruined some stones, was too agressive on them... I have to specify my stones are more fragile than Tuffaut, anyway would love having your feeback, wish you all the best. Jean-Baptiste
I'm sorry you found his description a little simple. It was not supposed to be a 'tutoria'l, but rather a description of the process of restoring the facade for a general audience of non-specialists. We can reassure you that there is nothing simple about their approach and the stone is carefully protected. For what it's worth our stonemasons (SOPOREN) are one of the companies working on the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris. They are unquestionably a highly respected company. By way of clarification our Loire Valley stone is called 'tuffeau' (both in English and in French). We wish you every success with your pediment restoration. We hope you get the result you are seeking. Thank you for following our journey.
It would be cool if you could visit the graves of the original chateau owners!
Monsieur Antoine-Charles Achard de la Haye and his wife Madame de la Motte-Barace are buried at the village cemetery here in Verrue. The gravestones have long since eroded but the plot numbers are marked on a map held at the local mayor's office. It's a small cemetery and we have visited them. Thank you for your comment and interest.
Does anybody knows or is it me sometimes the new roof is on the left and sometimes the new roof is on the right video flip-flopping
It's possible that you are sometimes seeing the Chateau viewed from the front and sometimes from the back. The nature of this architectural style is symmetry, so it sometimes takes a moment to tell which facade you are viewing. The easiest thing to do is look for the bridge. If you can see the bridge that traverses the dry moat, it means you're looking at the chateau from the south. If there is no bridge and instead you see the terrace, you can be sure you're viewing Chateau de Purnon from the north. The restored roof and facades are on the eastern side of the chateau. But if the video is quite old, you may be seeing that wing still covered in scaffolding with no works commenced on the western side.
If the French Antiquities Department has so many requirements, because "this chateau is so important ", why didn't the government restore the chateau???
Well, even if this château is important, it is still a private property. There are about 40 000 châteaux in France, most of them being private estates (like Purnon). You can easily imagine that the public finances would not be able to take in charge all the restorations of the 40 000 châteaux. Besides, people would not understand why their taxes should be used for private homes. That is why there is a system in the country with which châteaux owners can ask for financial help. From the moment you are selected and receive public money, you have to follow certain rules. Unless I am wrong, that is the deal. And we must admit that Felicity and Tim do a fantastic job in Purnon ! They are truly passionate.
@@heliedecastanet1882 I certainly agree that the owners are doing a great job! I am ust surprised that the antiquities people can put so many requirements on a (even the interior of) privately owned property. Even the owners admit that they won't finish in their lifetime. It is a very curious arrangement. Thank you for your insight!
@@RonDavidson-c3h Unless I am wrong (maybe Felicity and Tim can correct me) I suppose it depends on how far the monument is listed (sometimes it is just the exteriors which are listed, sometimes some interiors, sometimes everything…). That is something you know when you buy such a monument, hence there is no surprise, except for those who don't have all the informations - like you or me, I guess.
Thank you both for your comments. It's a really important issue. This is how we feel at Purnon. Firstly, we respect the rules that are in place to protect these incredible properties. We knew the rules when we purchased Purnon and we want to undertake a restoration that respects its incredible heritage. Secondly, we are very grateful for the financial assistance we are receiving from the French Government (via DRAC) to carry out this project. Although we have committed our life savings, we could not restore Purnon by ourselves. Thirdly, it does not worry us that we may not finish in our lifetime. Some of these buildings have been here for more than a quarter of a millennium (!). It is our responsibility to protect them so that future generations can enjoy them. Every one will have different views about how taxes should be spent and how government rules should operate. This is how we feel.
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How long is mortar going to really last?? No way you get more than a decade or two out of that repair job. Seems like it would've been longer lasting to chisel out the stone and replace it entirely.
Thanks for your comment. If you watch a range of our videos you will see a variety of stone masonry techniques demonstrated and explained. Hundreds of stones have indeed been replaced. As a general comment, the restoration at Chateau de Purnon is being undertaken by experienced heritage stone masons (they are working on the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris also). Their work here at Purnon is being supervised and led by Monsieur Frederic Didier who is the architect in charge at the Chateau of Versailles. It's fair bet that these highly experienced and well trained people know what they are doing. Thank you for following our journey.
how will you fill in those large cracks in the stone work?
Stone dust mixed with resin/glue?🎉🎉🎉🎉 🎉
They are considered a migratory bird? Like a swallow? I think it would have to be clarified if it was an African swallow or a European swallow. I’m just sayin’.
Perhaps at the top of the coronet those are actually coconuts…the swallows could grab them by the husk.
Thanks for your question... not sure we fully understand what you are asking. But the merlette is a mythical bird often depicted in French heraldry. It is not the same as a martlet in English heraldry which is a little more like a swift, swallow or martin. The French merlette is more like a duck (which is a migratory bird). But the key element is that the merlette is mythical - it's purpose is to symbolise certain virtues or to emphasise an element of the story of the family for whom the coat of arms was created. Thanks for your comment and interest.
Thank you for taking my response seriously. Though I was kidding. I was referencing the movie “Monty Pythons Search for the Holy Grail”. There’s 5 minutes dedicated to the question. You guys rock.
We apologise for taking your question seriously! At least we tried...{exits to rewatch Holy Grail}...
Your response was still greatly appreciated. I hope you chuckle when you see the reference.
Any green man symbols around the Chateau??maybe the chapel?
Intriguing. None that we have noticed!
Have you choosen the wallpaper yet?
We have! But it's currently being crafted... you'll have to wait for the grand reveal!