The Demeure Historique supports the Château de Pagax (member of the Association "Les Demeures Historiques") and joins its restoration project
The "Château de Pagax" is located at the crossroads of two regions (Occitanie and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes) and three departments (Aveyron, Lot and Cantal). It is part of the former province of Rouergue and the Quercy border nearby.
It has a dominant position on the heights of Flagnac (place called Pagax), a town located at the exit of the Gorges du Lot, on the edge of this majestic river. Important fortress of the Middle Ages, it becomes castle in 1259, residence of a noble Royal official to fix the authority of the King of France in this region.
Placed on this dominant point, it controlled all the surrounding valleys as well as the very busy path of the Conques Abbey in Figeac.
"Pagax", pronounced "pagasse" (from the Latin Pagus, fiscal, payment) well indicates this role of control, passage required and paid. In the Renaissance, the castle will be transformed again. Several families of important lords will succeed there until the French Revolution.
The castle is listed in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments since 1978.
It is above all a kid's dream; who did not play being a kid to knights or princesses? From there, one day comes the desire to participate in an adventure out of the ordinary, the work of a lifetime or more: to acquire and save a castle.
The TV show of the 70s "masterpieces in danger" must be for something.
Starting from the principle that, when we want, we can, everything gets very fast behind. Discovery of Pagax Castle put on sale by its former owners and the first second of the first visit, certainty that it will be this one. A love at first sight for the castle, its environment, its mysteries and its legends.
A stroke of madness without thinking (it is better), and an enthusiastic welcome from the inhabitants of the village and the surrounding area that motivate us all the more.
What actions have already been taken?
The castle and its outbuildings were turned into a farm in the middle of the 20th century. Many small ancillary buildings have been added for this operation, these being built of concrete and corrugated sheets. The castle itself was overgrown with lush and abundant vegetation that partially concealed it.
These first works took several years, and today, the castle and its outbuildings are well highlighted, as well as in light every night of the year.
In parallel, several events are organized regularly on the site, to make known or rediscover this castle so long forgotten.
Flea markets, "open door" days (quite easy to organize) on the occasion of Heritage Days, free visit during the summer, conference, reception and supplies during the passage of a trail running. ..etc.
So many events that allow many tourists and locals to discover the beauty of the site, the architecture of the castle, its history and its anecdotes. All this on a voluntary and free basis.
Since summer 2018, an association "the friends of the castle of Pagax" has been created. Its mission is to organize upcoming cultural events, participate in various works to improve public reception and raise funds to participate in the restoration project of the castle.
Brocante
Conférence
On Friday, March 8, 2019, part of this tower collapsed ...
Thanks to our first two crowdfunding campaigns organized with Dartagnans, we raised € 22,389.
This sum is entirely devoted to the security of the tower. The first works have just started this month of August.
At first, a 43-meter gondola lifted us to the top of the tower and blew all the parts that threatened to fall and endangered ground personnel. It also allowed us to check the stability of the tower as well as the plumb of it.
In a second time was realized a huge wooden structure of cylindrical form composed of four skates (see diagram below). This 14-meter-long structure was assembled on the ground. This cylindrical shape has a diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the tower.
On August 22, a 70-ton crane truck with a lifting capacity of 50 meters came to lift and slide this structure into the tower. Once installed, the tower could be surrounded by steel cables. This operation made it possible to completely stabilize and secure the tower of the staircase.
This will allow us to be able to clear and sort all the stones on the ground without any danger.
In early September will begin the construction of a temporary roof to "hat" the tower and protect it from the elements. Once again, a crane truck will lift this set and put it on top.
All these operations will completely secure the remaining parts of the tower of the stairs.
Finally we can start rebuilding ... and that's where we need your support!
With all of you and in collaboration with Dartagnans and La Demeure Historique, this tower has a chance to regain its splendor.
Note that other works will start in early September. Indeed, we mobilized a budget of about 30 000 € for the Renaissance facade because it deserves our attention. Under the effect of the collapse of the tower of the stairs, two mullioned windows are weakened and require their replacement.
This work will be carried out by the company Vermorel, specialist of Historical Monuments in Occitania.
As you can see, Château de Pagax is in a good dynamic. All together we can save it!
The good news often traveling in squadron, know that the Pagax Castle will be filmed in September on behalf of a very famous television show devoted to heritage ... to follow.
As you have understood, this campaign "Operation Babel" (wink at the tower of Babel) aims to rebuild this tower of the stairs.
Before the collapse, the budget was already important, but after that the costs go up. We decided to focus on masonry on this phase.
Indeed, as explained above, the tower will soon be covered by a temporary roof. This leaves us some time with the certainty that the tower is safe.
The estimated cost for reconstruction is just over € 110,000. This includes the masonry of stone rubble, dressed stone (window and door frames, exposed stone plaster and all necessary scaffolding).
We have planned levels of € 10,000 which will be added to each other. You will be able to visualize the progress of the budget of the tower as it progresses on the photo below:
Simple individuals like you and with dreams in your head. This chance, we knew to seize it in passing, because often, it does not appear twice in a life.
Now, we must assume the responsibility that implies such a commitment. It is not always easy to see the size of the site, but the brief moments of discouragement are quickly forgotten, well surrounded by friends, family and the inhabitants of the village.
We are transmitters of heritage, because a monument like this does not belong to us. It belongs to the French heritage, this region, its inhabitants and their ancestors.
Besides, never have we ever thought of inhabiting the castle; this one must and will have to remain open to the greatest number, either by simple visits, or by organizing various cultural animations. We need all of you...
Dartagnans
Campagne Château de Pagax
15 rue de Milan
75009 PARIS
The tax reduction only applies to French or foreign donors resident in France for tax purposes.
Your donation is tax-free because it fulfills the general conditions provided for in Articles 200 and 238bis of the French Tax Code.
The parents of the owners up to the 4th degree (first cousin included) will not be able to profit from the tax reduction or the companies which have a capitalistic tie with the owners. The Historical Residence will not publish tax receipts for donations lower than 50 euros.
At the end of the collection you will receive a tax receipt from the Historic Residence which collects donations, and which will directly pay the companies at the end of the work.
- Individuals: 66% of the amount of your donation comes directly in reduction of your income tax, within the limit of 20% of your taxable income.
- Companies: you benefit from a tax reduction on companies, up to 60% of the amount of the donation within the limit of 0.5% of turnover (possibility of postponement over 5 years).
The granting of grants by patrons obviously imposes certain obligations on private owners of historic monuments, starting with the conservation of their building for at least ten years.
Second requirement: ensure the opening to the public of the parties that have been the subject of the works for the same duration and this, or 50 days per year minimum, including 25 non-working days from September to April inclusive, or 40 days during the months of July, August and September.
Patron or sympathizer friends, we thank you very much for participating in this adventure which is the restoration and the revival of the Castle of Pagax.
Thanks to your financial or moral support by sharing this project around you or on social networks, you become part of this extraordinary adventure.
You will thus join the long list of people who contributed to the radiation of the "Château de Pagax" since the Middle Ages. And this for eternity ..
