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6,500 strangers club together to save crumbling French castle

Thousands of people have joined together in a crowdfunded effort to save a 13th century French castle.

Published: 5 December 2017 11:46 CET

6,500 strangers club together to save crumbling French castle

The Mothe-Chandeniers chateau. Photo: Guillaume Souvant/AFP

The Mothe-Chandeniers chateau in Les Trois-Moutiers, western France has been through some tough times.

Taken by the English twice and all but destroyed during the French Revolution, it was later further damaged by a fire in the 1930s after it had been carefully restored.

But a group of 6,500 internet users have now donated at least €51 each towards a total of €500,000 to buy and restore the one-time party palace.

READ ALSO: Outrageous French chateaux you can rent for a weekend

Each of the donors is now a part-owner of the property, which was bought on December 1st by Dartagnans.fr, a website specializing in conserving cultural heritage and which together with cultural organization 'Adopt a Castle' organized the crowdfunding campaign.

“Two months ago, we embarked on a crazy bet,” wrote the organizers on a Facebook page set up to promote the campaign, which reached almost 13,000 'likes' on the site. “Love of heritage has triumphed and the beautiful adventure is just beginning!”

The entrance of the castle. Photo: Guillaume Souvant/AFP

In total, 45 different nationalities took part in the effort, so people from all over the world now have a stake in the piece of French heritage.

Co-owners will not only be the first to visit the castle in 2018, but will have their say in how restoration is carried out and will be able to follow the progress via an online collaborative platform.

The castle is surrounded by a moat, and its ornate balconies and arches are currently overrun by nature, but the drone video below gives an impression of its former glory.

READ ALSO: 16th century castle unearthed in Lille city centre

Three things to know about the new Paris cheese museum

Paris will soon be home to a cheese museum.

The venue, on Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, in the fourth arrondissement, will open to visitors on June 3rd, sending – no doubt – clouds of cheesy odours wafting daily down the street.

It will be at the same location as the former restaurant ‘Nos Ancêtres Les Gaulois’ (Our ancestors the Gauls), with the objective of becoming “an essential meeting place” for cheese lovers, as well as both novices and professionals within the industry.

Here are a few things to know about the new cheese museum;

It will be interactive

Fans of camembert, chèvre, brie, morbier, Roquefort and brebis, assemble! The museum promises an educational and fully interactive tour of France’s historic cheese heritage, including the science and varied tradition of cheese-making.

The first portion will give an overview of the ‘culture’ of cheese. Then, you will learn about its history, as well as how it is made and finish off with a tasting (dégustation).

READ MORE: Best Briehaviour: Your guide to French cheese etiquette

There’s a dairy and creamery

Part of the tour features a fully functional dairy, where visitors can witness cheese being produced before their very eyes.

There are two goals for this part of the museum – to help people discover the different regions of France and their iconic cheeses, as well as to encourage young people to consider careers in the farming and dairy industry, which is enduring something of a recruitment crisis in France.

You will also be able to purchase cheese and souvenirs at the museum’s boutique.

It can host private events

The museum can be booked for private catered events for up to 150 people in the evenings, from 7pm, with or without the services of a cheese expert, who can guide guests through tastings and demonstrations.

READ ALSO 7 tips for buying French cheese

Tickets are advertised at €20 for adults and €10 for children. For more information and to book a visit, log on to website of the Musée Vivant du fromage. Blessed are the cheese makers!

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