The Institut de France, owner of the Château de Langeais, began a campaign in 2011 to restore the monument in its northern part. Chimneys, roofing, framework, masonry, sculptures, joinery, all parts requiring replacement or consolidation are concerned. In successive stages, the main buildings and towers, both outside and on the courtyard side, regain their original splendor.
The phase of work in progress consisted of three sections: eastern half of the central dwelling, then the western half and the southwest staircase tower, completed, and finally, the southeast tower, in progress. After a month of installing the impressive scaffolding, the various trades began the project, which should last until the end of summer 2025.
Pro Tech Foudre, specialized in lightning rods for historic monuments, works as a rope access technician. France no longer produces it, the slates are Spanish, the joinery like the stones are replaced if necessary. The construction site must take into account the tranquility of the inhabitants of the castle, the swallows, whose nests must not be destroyed, or anticipate by installing artificial nests!
These scaffoldings obviously spoil the tourists’ photographs somewhat but “It is important that the public sees that we are maintaining this heritage. This enormous project will end with the northern part… depending on budgetary resources,” underlines Charline Bodineau, from the Institut de France, visiting the site with architect Olivier Vigoureux.
