The Castle is located northeast of the city of Ussel in Corrèze. A vibrant city of around 10,000 residents. It is located just 7 minutes from the A89 highway on the Lyon-Bordeaux axis. This castle is a small rarity lost in a 6 hectare park in the city.
It is about preserving the heritage of the city of Ussel by restoring the site and creating an unusual place unique in France.
Centered on an eco-responsible design, this project will bring together a 4 * hotel with 14 rooms, 7 unusual cave dwellings (annexes) distributed within its park, a gourmet restaurant developing and preparing its menus (thanks to on-site production), a bar and tasting area in the renovated tower dating from the 12th century as well as a seminar room.
The park surrounding the castle (6.5 hectares) will be a landscaped park suitable for events (concerts, shows, weddings, exhibitions, festivals ...) and will include an aquaponic farm, a permaculture vegetable garden, and bees houses ... in a desire for self-managed food production in the restaurant.
The whole being developed on an eco-responsible design (use of bio-based materials ...) and local in terms of its realization.
No less than 18 jobs will be created at the opening, thus contributing to the territorial dynamic. An exclusivity in Corrèze and the first domain in France to offer this set of activities for an opening scheduled for the summer of 2021.
Visual concept of the restaurant to be rebuilt: architect Mr Perichon
After the purchase of the castle and its estate in September 2019, the first actions consisted of cleaning the surroundings of the castle which had become inaccessible due to uncontrolled vegetation for more than 20 years. Once this step had been completed, it was necessary to empty the premises of all the bulky items and various waste abandoned and accumulated on site since then. Finally a few weeks later, the demolition of the walls, floors and ceilings could start, keeping only the main walls and the roof. The demolition of the already collapsed North Wing was the last step in securing the site.
The emergency concerns the roof of the South wing. This one has undergone more than the rest the tests of time. Today it is on the verge of collapse and is likely to cause part of the walls to fall, as was the case with the North wing.
The origins of the castle date back to 1120, it then belongs to Baron Albert de Charlus, lord of Laborde and will belong to the Charlus family until 1468.
The Charlus de Laborde family will remain in place until 1468. The castle will then be transformed into a small seminary, from 1886 to 1898, then into a hospital during the First World War. In May 1941, André Chevalier acquired it. From 1943 to 1953, he accepted to graciously welcome the primary school of Ussel. In 1980, it also served as a summer camp. The castle will then belong to his heirs until it is bought in 2019.
Postcards of 1950 and 1970
We are Benoit, Francis and Bruno, two young Usselois and their elder, determined to revive this jewel lost in the city.
Benoit BARRIER, a 30 year old Usselois who after a business school decided to come back to Ussel and who is at the origin of the project.
His father Bruno BARRIER, 55 years old manager of companies and restaurateur on Ussel since always.
And finally Francis MALAQUIS, a 30-year-old Usselois friend of Benoit from the school benches ended up joining the adventure.
The story begins several months ago, after an initial visit to the site. Like many, we did not know this castle. It was only after passing several times in front of the entrance that curiosity finally carried us away ...
The immensity of the place immediately awakened our entrepreneurial souls. The condition of the castle, which has already repulse more than one, has only increased our desire to revive a forgotten monument in our city.
But how do we rehabilitate it and revive it?
The idea of a hotel and reception venue came naturally. Several months and a few feasibility studies later, we are owners of a ruined castle ...
The adventure begins and we can't wait to live it with you!
Our commitment to this project is total. After resigning from our respective jobs, it now occupies 100% of our time. From daybreak to sunset, there are a series of meetings, files, videos, and on-site work every day of the week. In the long term we will work, Benoit (president of the company) and Francis (Director general) full time to ensure the proper functioning and the reception of the public at the castle.
You can support this project:
- by making an online donation by credit card on this page after registering on the Dartagnans site
- by making a bank transfer after registration on the Dartagnans website
- for French donors only, by sending a check, on the back of which you will include your e-mail address, written to the following order "SAS Château du Theil", sent to the following address:
Dartagnans Campagne Restauration du Château du Theil 15 rue de Milan 75009 PARIS
La Montagne
Le p’titCorrezien
With solid foundations dating back to the 12th century, this place with many facets through the ages may have touched you.
This project with a strong eco-responsible orientation, will participate in revitalizing and diversifying the tourist offer of this region dear to us. An enchanting place at the gates of the city, accessible to all.
Your involvement is now necessary to see such a project come to life in less than 2 years.
We count on you, and hope to see you very soon at the castle, to write the rest of its history.
Many thanks for your contribution!
Photo from February 2020 and visual concept of a double bedroom and the bar area which will include a tasting area in the tower.
Landscaped park project plan
Photo of the estate in February 2020
Photo of the park: annex area and visual concept of a cave dwelling annex
The concept of aquaponics is a virtuous cycle allowing the simultaneous cultivation of vegetables and the breeding of fish, which will then be prepared and eaten in the restaurant. This technique is particularly well suited to the field which has 3 water sources. Quality water that will be used for park maintenance and fish farming, in combination with the recovery of rainwater.
Visual concept and explanatory diagram of the aquaponic farm. (© Salmon de France)
