Originally built during the 12th century on a high and impregnable position by Guillaume Amanieu, viscount of Benauge, Bezaumes and Gabardan, the Duras castle is like a balcony dominating the beautiful landscape of our valley. The Château has embraced the history of France for centuries and bears witness to numerous conflicts.
In the early 14th century, a new impressive fortress is built, thanks to papal money given by Clement 5th, the lands of Duras belonging to his family. The Château then becomes property of the Durfort family who forges successive alliances with both kingdoms, England and France during the One Hundred Years’ War.
The battle of Castillon in 1453 puts an end to this War, but the Durfort' family embrace the protestant faith at the 16th century, being strongly opposed to the King of France. They will abjure this faith later, crushed by many years of civil war. Duras place reaches the status of a county. This is the beginning of their social ascension, they become count, marquis, duke and finally Peer of France. The Château then becomes symbol of financial, military and political power of the Durfort-Duras.
During two centuries, the Château is extensively remodeled and becomes a much more comfortable mansion inspired by the Renaissance, surrounded by beautiful french style gardens.
The French revolution puts an end to all these improvements and the Château falls into disrepair.
The inhabitants and the city of Duras finally buy the ruins in 1969 at a public auction, and are able to take care of the monument. Ever since then, the Château is being restored in order to bring back it’s magnificience.
In order to further improve the Château and restore the atmosphere of the old time, the municipality has decided to refurnish it partially.
The “Mobilier National”, formely named the “Royal Furniture Depository” is involved in the project. Providing furniture for the “Elysée” (residence of the Republic President in Paris) and other French ministries and embassies all over the world, the “Mobilier National” refurnished 10 other Châteaux since 2012. This new partnership is the first one in “Nouvelle Aquitaine”.
The different pieces of furniture will be deposited in the Château for 30 years to make them discover by the largest number of people. Through the inventory conducted in 1789, and following the archaeological and archivistic studies, the layout of the rooms is known. “Troubadour style" (19th century) furniture has been selected to reflect the taste for “Renaissance” items, reminding the Durfort-Duras finest moments at the 17th century.
In the northern wing, the small duchess bedroom will refer to Claire de Kersaint, Duchesse of Duras, who was also a novelist, friend of Chateaubriand and a feminist luminary of her time. In the opposite, Jacques Henri de Durfort-Duras will have the primacy. The famous ancestor of his Serene Highness Albert 2nd of Monaco is the very first Duke of Duras. He also was a marshal of France and hold an important role at Louis XIV the Great’s Court in Versailles.
The furnishing of the Château is to be done in 2 steps. In may 2018, the Duchess’ side will be furnished, The Duke’ apartments will be restored during winter 2018-2019, so the furniture will find place in these renovated surroundings. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Château purchase by the Duras municipality in 1969, 7 rooms will be furnished, that is to say the all ground floor.
The hole project includes 2 periods of furnishing, and the estimated cost is 100.000€ . It includes the restoration of the furniture, the travel from Paris to Duras, the safe guarding and the mediation around the draft (display panels for example).
The 20.000€ collected will cover the restoration of some of the Duchess’ wing‘s furniture. The rest’restoration of this area will be paid by Mobilier National.
The pool table that will take place in the billiard room is made of oak tree. A console made of mahogany, a scarved golden wood screen for the fire place of the large dining room and a mahogany bed for the Duchess small bedroom are to furnish this first side.
Steps :
- First step : restoration of the mahogany bed in the Duchess small bedroom (10.000€)
- Second step : restoration of the furniture in the large dining room and the billiard room (10.000€)
Thanks for your help. We hope to see you soon at the Château !
- website : www.chateau-de-duras.com
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