Partially destroyed following a fire on December 31, 2023, the Château de Serquigny now belongs to the municipality. The 21 owners transferred their property for a symbolic euro in order to start the work.
The work will be able to begin. The Château de Serquigny now belongs to the commune of Europe, announced the Eure prefecture in a press release published Tuesday, November 5. The building dating from the 17th century was transferred to the public domain by its 21 owners for a symbolic euro.
The castle, classified as a historic monument, suffered a violent fire on December 31, 2023. Significant damage was reported to the north wing, the main building and the roof.
Since then, a real administrative headache has arisen to agree on this reconstruction with the presence of so many owners. The decision taken with the municipality should therefore facilitate the launch of the work.
“As of January 4, 2024, the mayor of Serquigny issued a danger order asking the owners concerned to carry out emergency work. Faced with the absence of work, although prescribed in the said order, and on the basis of the emergency, the municipality took the place of the latter to carry out the safeguarding work to save the castle”, indicates the prefecture in its press release.
Owners spared from reconstruction costs
The regional directorate of architecture and heritage (DRAC), the Heritage Foundation, the State, as well as local authorities have mobilized to ensure the implementation of this work by financing 40% of the project.
This transfer also allows the owners of the historic site not to reimburse the costs related to the work.
“The transfer of property rights to the municipality of Serquigny should facilitate investment projects for the necessary reconstruction of this historic site,” concludes the Eure prefecture.
