Chateau de la Preuille dates back from the 11th century, one of the oldest in the Loire Vallee. It is located exactly on the border of Vendee and Brittany in Saint Hilaire de Loulay, Pays de Loire, France.
This old feudal castle took its present form in the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. The wide moat defending the northern aspect of the walls and towers indicates its origins as a stronghold. In 1832, Marie-Caroline of Bourbon, Duchess of Berry, visited Château de la Preuiile to launch her coup against King Louis-Philippe in order to crown her son Henry count of Chambord, the last legitimate Bourbon. The coup failed and Marie-Caroline of Bourbon was arrested.
In the 70’s Château de la Preuille was just a ruin bought by the Fradin family. They restored the main parts of the castle, mostly the ground floors. In the beginning of the 00’s, Family Ribow bought the Château and further restored the upper floors and utilities. In 2019, we bought Château de la Preuille with the intention to continue the journey of restoration. We feel just like a small but humble part of its history.
The most urgent project is the rescue of the walls of the unique moat. The South West Wall of 55 meter has already collapsed in the moat. The North West Wall of 33 meters has partly collapsed and features the bridge entrance to the Island with Pigeon tower. The North East Wall is still standing but largely overgrown by trees and roots. It is leaning over, about to fall as well.
As much as we could, we removed the dead trees and roots. However, removing too much will cause the structure to weaken. Only rebuilding the wall will ensure the moat and its walls can survive many more centuries. Doing nothing will definitely result in the disappearance of the moat.
· Step 1: 10.000 euros, which will enable us to restore a part of the North West Wall of 33 meter and preventing parts that are still standing from collapsing.
· Step 2: 25.000 euros, which will allow us to finish the North West wall and start saving part of the North East Wall from falling.
· Step 3: 40.000 euros, which will allow us to finish the North East Wall and start rebuilding the South West Wall.
We, Paul, Sandra and our four children moved to France in 2005. Enjoying the French lifestyle, but also occupied with a corporate career. That’s why we decided in 2019 to give life a new twist: selling the house, stopping work and searching for a new adventure. Not only for ourselves, but also to show our children that you can chase dreams. On a road trip passing the French Atlantic Coast, we were lucky to find Chateau de la Preuille. It immediately felt as a special place, a place with history, character and endless possibilities of restoration.
You can support this project :
- by making an online donation by credit card on this page after registering on the Dartagnans website.
- by making a bank transfer after registration on the Dartagnans website
- for French donors only, by sending a cheque, on the back of which you will write your e-mail address, made out to the following order "LAS VAN BENNEKOM", sent to the following address:
Dartagnans
Campaign Château de la Preuille
15 rue de Milan
75009 PARIS
A sincere thank you to all of you, lovers of precious heritage that deserve to be maintained and kept for future generations. Your generosity will motivate and help us to restore historical parts of Chateau de la Preuille, an adventure to turn it back into its former glory.
Email: [email protected]
Social network links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auchateaudelapreuille/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chateau_de_la_preuille/
Website: www.chateau-de-la-preuille.fr
