Major works at the castle. A historic project!

The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region, owner of the Château de Châteauneuf since 2008, is launching a vast restoration program worth 5 million euros. This work will make it possible to consolidate the weakened parts, to make areas closed to the public accessible and to improve the experience of visitors, in particular through the construction of a new reception!

A castle under construction open to the public!
The Region mobilizes its teams for the implementation and monitoring of this program but also to promote it to visitors and get them to participate. The castle therefore remains open to the public as much as possible for the duration of the work. On the occasion of this unprecedented work, the Region offers an entertainment and exhibition program to discover unique trades and know-how: information kiosks, visits and specific workshops for young and old.

We invite you to follow the news of this historic project for the castle and to discover the different phases of the work with the testimony of professionals.

The Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region has developed a rich restoration program: the President of the Region and the architect explain it to you in video 1: “The challenges of restoring a medieval castle”.

Archaeological excavations

An archaeological excavation campaign was undertaken at the location of the new reception, in the orchard.

Work in a 15th century castle, this is an opportunity to obtain information on the history of the place. Archeology offers suitable methods. The archaeologists commissioned to study the castle of Châteauneuf make us discover them in the video 2 “Archaeology: methods, discoveries and surprises to come…”

The re-opening of the chapel to the public

The chapel has reopened after 6 years of partial closure to the public. The studies had brought to light disorders affecting the stability of the floor of the chapel preventing complete accessibility. Interventions were carried out in the basement to replace the paving tiles. They made it possible to discover interesting archaeological remains in the embankments: fragments of paving tiles unknown to the castle, pottery…

The construction of a new reception

The construction of the new reception is part of a new visit route aimed at improving the visitor experience. It will make it possible to accommodate the growing number of public in better conditions with the creation of a new space for the ticket office, the shop, the toilets and an elevator, all accessible to people with reduced mobility.

The old reception was previously located in a cramped tower and inaccessible to people with reduced mobility. Strategically positioned at the entrance to the site, the new building will be built on the site of a former orchard. On one level, of controlled height and concealed by the stone walls of the site, it fits perfectly into the environment. It will be covered with a green roof and will open towards the orchard on a theater of greenery. Its wooden frame structure is part of a high environmental quality approach.

Constructing a new building in a medieval castle is a feat! Discover the new reception of the Château de Châteauneuf in preview on a virtual tour, guided by the actors of the project with video 3 “An architectural feat: the new reception”

Restoration of the Gate Tower

The restoration of the roof to the tower of the gate will allow the main entrance of the castle to regain, after nearly two centuries, its two twin towers, its original architectural unity and thus its symbolic force!

Built in the 15th century, the tower of the Gate hosted the old reception. It had lost its roof and was subject to bad weather. A new roof will allow the preservation of the structure and the exceptional interior remains, in particular its staircase. Its restoration will be based on the model of the neighboring tower, the Tour aux Archères. The exceptional external coatings and medieval internal coatings will also be preserved, protected and restored throughout the building.

Restoration of the entrance gateway

The access gateway to the castle, known as the “dormant bridge” and dating from 1936, will be preserved. Some of the most degraded parts will be reinforced (the bridge piers, the concrete structure) and others will be replaced (the railings, the decking, the deck).

Tower room of the guest house

The room in the tower of the guest house will house the restored copy of the tomb of Philippe Pot, currently presented in the chapel.

The original of the tomb being in the Louvre Museum, the copy will be restored taking into account the latest discoveries made in this museum in 2017, in particular on the colors and materials of the Middle Ages, which will be restored. The museography will invite visitors on a journey into the past, at the time of Philippe Pot’s burial.

Partial restoration of the southern gateway known as the Porte des Hôtes

The Porte des Hôtes is a source of questioning for specialists who see it as evidence of a major project by Philippe Pot to link his castle to the village church. Only 3 bridge piers in poor condition suggest passages over the ditches.

Beyond the sole conservation of the piers, the project plans to install a belvedere placed on these piers, evoking the pedestrian bridge. It will allow the visitor to move forward above the moat and have the perspective necessary for the overall vision of the southern part of the castle, the valley beyond the terraces and to catch a glimpse of the church. below. It will in fact enrich the tour.

News around the works!