In Val-d'Oise, the Château de Gadancourt saved from rot

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In September 2021, an orange stain on a wall attracted the attention of the occupants of the Gadancourt castlehamlet of Avernes (Val-d'Oise).

Dry rot, an invasive fungus, was growing.

“It started with water infiltration through the exterior wall. I saw a fungus on the woodwork. I then understood,” reports Christine de Meaux, owner of the beautiful 18th century family home.^e century.

Like its neighbor in Vigny, the building was the subject of an emergency operation to remove the spore which attacked the stones and woodwork of a wing of the family home.

Emergency response

To put an end to what we call household leprosy, the Meaux family called on a specialized company and received valuable advice fromAlice Capron Valat, heritage architectwho assisted the project management of a site marked by the removal of woodwork, parquet floors and ceiling but also floor tiles, in order to eradicate rot.

“When dry rot appears, you don't have to wait a day. Emergency intervention is essential,” explains the heritage expert (appointed, since November 8, chief architect of Historic Monuments) whose mission is the preservation of heritage, including private heritage.

Because dry rot is everywhere, even at home

“An energetic and precise collaboration”, does not fail to recall Antoine de Meaux, who now ensures, with his wife Lorraine, the management of the castle built in 1765 and which has seen some celebrities pass through, including contemporary ones like André Malraux and Frédéric Mitterrand.

The safeguarding operation received administrative support from the state.

“Heritage is the first marker of the identity of a territory,” believes Philippe Court, prefect of Val-d’Oise.

Support which was supplemented by that of the Department, which released €55,000 for grants for heritage, also private “…when it contributes to cultural and tourist influence”, specifies Morgan Touboul, departmental advisor in charge of Heritage outstanding.

VMF Price

First owned by the Bourys, the castle passed, by marriage, to the Meaux family, a dynasty of agronomists, which included a Minister of Agriculture under the III^e Republic.

It was Charles-Antoine (died November 25, 2023) who took over the family business in 1979 with his wife Christine de Lenglet. The couple opened Gadancourt Castle to the public.

The venue regularly hosts public events during receptions and artistic and cultural events. “A castle for everyone”, wishes Antoine de Meaux.

It is within the framework of these actions that the Meaux family received the national Vieilles Maisons Françaises 2024 prize for Art and Culture tourism development, worth €13,000 and the departmental prize worth €12,000. .

Jacques Battais, Vmf Val-d'Oise delegate came, Monday November 18, to hand over, in the presence of the prefect of Val-d'Oise and elected officials from the department, the check which should be used for “radiator equipment”, announces Christine de Meaux.

In order to avoid the return of rot, which develops with humidity in the walls, buildings must be heated.

“Because rot is everywhere, even in your home,” says the owner as a sign of foresight.

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