In Normandy, near Rouen and a stone's throw from the banks of the Seine, there is an estate where passersby stroll and where crowds gather periodically. On the occasion of the activities it hosts, it is the essential meeting place for local residents, newlyweds, and businesses. Although of modest size (around 5 hectares), its park serves as the stage for large public gatherings, especially commemorative ones, earning Château du Taillis a national reputation.
3 centuries
Of construction
It was in 1532 that a certain Richard du Fay began the construction of the central body of the current château, on the foundations of an old fortified manor. François I reigned and opened France to a society of peace, culture, and exchanges after the centuries of insecurity of the Middle Ages. The fashion was for the rediscovery of ancient civilizations, it was the Renaissance. Naturally, this central body erected at that time bears the style of the Second Italian Renaissance. At the beginning of the 17th century, Jacques I du Fay du Taillis added two pavilions in the style of Louis XIII, made of brick and stone, to the unfinished dwelling. Then, in the 18th century, Claude Bernard du Fay further enlarged the château by adding two additional wings. The harmony that emanates from it is evident, with the heirs successively completing the work on both sides of the original dwelling in a symmetrical manner and respecting the overall proportions. However, it should be noted that a number of modifications have been made to the oldest openings, sometimes widened or touched up, allowing for the adaptation of increasingly generous windows for brighter interiors.
1998
The arrival of the Navarro family.
At that time, Nicolas was only 16 years old. His parents bought the château and quickly found themselves overwhelmed by the immense task it represented. Two years later, at the age of 18, Nicolas Navarro created an association for the maintenance and preservation of the château, and quickly decided to dedicate all his time and energy to it. He became the owner a few years later and continued to bring this place of history to life in an unprecedented way. The château, still today the residence of his parents, became the meeting point and laboratory for the young owner and his friends, who developed a series of events there. The passion for history, the appetite for collecting, and the sense of duty towards memory led this group to organize military commemorations, reenacting the events of World War II that took place around and on the estate. A museum was also created, open year-round, and housing an exceptional collection of objects from that era.
DIY
The operating mode
To maintain a place of such magnitude, you either need a lot of money or a lot of talent. The direction was quickly determined at Château du Taillis, which is fortunate to be maintained by someone talented. Because doing it yourself allows for a drastic reduction in costs, but also increases the risk of doing things improperly. The château is protected as a historical monument, and therefore any work done there must be carried out according to the rules of the art, a necessary condition for the sustainability and preservation of the historical authenticity of the place.
This approach is a very interesting solution in the sustainable management of the place, which, as we recall, must be balanced on the following four pillars:cultural, social, environmental, andeconomic. The reduction in maintenance costs carried out by the owner, his team, and a few internal volunteers allows for larger profit margins during rentals and private events. The generation of these margins enables the venue to offer affordable rates for cultural events and even free visits to the park, making the château socially accessible. Furthermore, this accessibility allows for a wide dissemination of the history of the place, the memory of wars, and an environmental know-how in sustainable work and in the park.
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