Sunday January 12, 2025, shortly after 8 a.m., a fire broke out in the roof of the Manoir de Kernault, property of the Department of Finistère located in the town of Mellac. Thanks to the intervention of firefighters from the Finistère Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS29), the walls were preserved and the manor could be restored. President Maël DE CALAN quickly visited the site.
A very big waste and a very big sadness
“My first thoughts go first to the teams at the Chemins du patrimoine establishment in Finistère, to the teams at the Manoir de Kernault, to its director Danièle BROCHU, but also to the local elected officials. It is a disaster, but a disaster that could have been even greater if the walls had partially collapsed or if the chapel had been consumed! I thank the person who raised the alarm. »
The Mayor of Mellac, Franck CHAPOULIE, recalled that the park is extremely busy. If the fire had broken out in the middle of the night, the damage could have been even greater.
Very bad news for the territory and the Department
“This is bad news for the territory because it is above all a museum which belongs to the people of Finistère, to the territories of Mellac and Quimperlé. This is also bad news for the Department, owner of the estate and its Heritage Paths establishment in Finistère. »
Work, prepared for the previous mandate, was undertaken at the very start of the mandate in 2021. “ Initiating the second phase of the restoration work on the manor is one of the very first decisions we took at the start of our mandate. This work, necessary to maintain our heritage, was to be delivered in the coming weeks. ! »
The Manoir de Kernault will rise from its ashes
“We will recover, as always, after this type of disaster. There will first be the time of the expertise to find out the origin of the disaster. Then the question of financing this work and insurance. The Department is insured as are the companies operating on the site. Preservation work will first be carried out, then restoration work. The Manoir de Kernault will rise from its ashes. »
“But before that, the site will first be secured. We invite the public not to go to the Manoir de Kernault for security reasons.. » The Director of the Chemins du patrimoine en Finistère establishment, Xavier BOUYER and the director of the establishment will have the opportunity to communicate on the reopening of the park and the site.
