Share the project:
HELP US TO SAVE THIS CASTLE!
And earn rewards ...
Five hundred long years that he resisted the onslaught of time ...
But, today, without your help, his days are numbered!
WHAT IS THE FINDING?
In the 19th century, a set of existing buildings behind the castle was razed and flattened (the aim was to destroy "outbuildings" which had aged badly). The thousands of m3 of rubble, undoubtedly difficult to evacuate with the means of the time, were spread out and came to fill the courtyard of the castle… Did the demolishers apprehend that a demolished building represents 3 times its volume in rubble? In any case, the embankment thus created represented 1.50m thick over an area of 2,800 m2 which would behave like a real sponge and prove fatal for the castle. Indeed, this one being built on a hillside on a clayey ground, each rain then came to gorge this embankment transforming the castle into a dam. For 150 years, the pressure of water has been undermining its sagging foundations. Today, the castle is slipping and some parts have collapsed ...
WHAT IS THE PROJECT ?
​
The rescue worksite consists of two main phases:
​
PHASE 1 (most urgent). Which consists of removing the backfill (on the north facade), stabilizing the foundations, draining the courtyard, surrounding its perimeter with a retaining wall to prevent colluvialization of the overhanging land and, finally, finalizing the soil.
PHASE 2. Which consists of cutting to a depth of 3.50 m (on the south facade) the embankment on which the castle is placed, and of building a retaining wall equipped with a drainage device and barbicans, thus creating a very large terrace in front of the building. This device will allow constant bleeding of the slope and will therefore finalize the work of PHASE 1.
WHERE ARE WE ?
​
PHASE 1 began with the "disbursement" (on the "north" facade) of the rear yard and the 4200 m3 of backfill were -finally- evacuated . Given the events (confinements and various restrictions) in 2020, this operation could not start until October 2020. Since torrential rains have paralyzed the site.
To finalize this phase, we still have to take back the footings of the walls and foundations. Then, to make 100 meters of retaining walls on the outskirts of the courtyard; which supposes the realization of foundations, the construction and the coating of the walls, the creation of guardrails. Then, it is a question of installing a drainage system to put "out of water" the castle. Finally, to tamp, stabilize and gravel the yard. As soon as the weather permits, the work will restart. These tasks should be done by the end of the year. 2021. We plan a total budget of 25,000 €. It will be fair, but by carrying out the heaviest tasks ourselves, we should get there. From then on, a big step will have been taken, but the castle is still far from being "out of the woods" we still have a lot of "work to do" before we can claim victory.
And that's where we need you! -
WHAT IS THE ARTICULATION AND WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROJECT?
​
PHASE 2 , which is the subject of this fundraising campaign , is divided into several stages which will make it possible to finalize the rescue of the castle:
​
- Level 1 "earthworks", this is :
​
-
to lower the front platform of the castle over an area of ​​1,200 m2 and to a depth of 3.50m,
-
to dig an excavation for foundations of P 70 cm x W 180 cm x 80 meters long;
-
move the 3,500 tonnes of backfill obtained to fill the slope below.
​
Level 2, "masonry", it is about :
-
pour 101 m3 of reinforced concrete foundations intended to receive the retaining wall
-
to build this wall in blocks to shutter to a height of 3.50 m and a length of 80 m,
-
to coat it,
-
to make 80 ml of guardrail.
​
Level 3, "finalization" , it is about:
​
-
to lay 100 m of drains, to create sumps for collecting water, to stabilize surfaces (aggregates, etc.),
The total cost of this second and final phase amounts to € 58,000.
If we manage to complete this budget, the actual site will take place from 01/09/2021 to 31/10/2022 .
Our donors will be able to follow, online, on Facebook , Instagram and Youtube , videos of the progress of the work as it is carried out.
​
ALL TOGETHER,
LET'S TAKE PART IN THE RESCUE OF THE CHÂTEAU DE LA VILLAUMAIRE!
HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT?
There are several ways to support this project:
-
You can, of course, donate whether it's one-off or monthly.
-
You can also devote time to this project by becoming one of the volunteers of our association.
-
You can, finally, make this project known around you, if only by sharing it on your social networks.
Everyone can participate !
Contributing is very easy ...
​
TO FIND OUT MORE, CLICK ON THE "PARTICIPATE" BUTTON
WHO ARE WE ?
For almost two centuries, each generation of the Vitali family has tried to save at least one monument. Thus, it saved for the first time, in 1867, the sumptuous castle of Vigny in the Val d'Oise. But, it has also worked on the châteaux of Fréminville (95), Saint Julien l'Ars (86), Cour-sur-Loire (41), Hémevez (50), Ham-sur-Heure (Belgium) . She has worked on the Hôtel de Günzburg in Paris, on the Vidoni Caffarelli Palace in Rome, on the Villa Fiorentina in Cannes, on the prestigious Villa Leopolda in Villefranche sur Mer, on the Villa Fiorentina in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. She also restored several churches, in particular those of Vigny, Frémainville, Mureaux, Versailles, Saint Julien l'Ars, Cannes ... Today, it is the last generation: Vanina, Ugo and Lorenzo (from 24 to 29 years old) - entering the cradle in the role of “rescuers of monuments in danger” - who lavishes all his care at the Château de La Villaumaire, in Touraine.
​
The team of "rescuers": Vanina, Lorenzo and Ugo Vitali.
In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.
The Vitali family acquired the Château de La Villaumaire in January 1997 with the firm intention of saving it. For 25 years, she has pursued a patient and meticulous restoration there, devoting most of her time and resources to it. The objective is first of all to save the building on a lasting basis from ruin with the possibility of opening it to the public in the long term. Obviously, this monument is managed in a selfless way, that is to say that all its income is reinvested in its restoration. Moreover, no subsidy of any kind has ever been received. Likewise, each member of the family is perfectly aware of being only one of the custodians of a good, which beyond itself, belongs to History . And everyone knows that saving a monument is a real priesthood, the fruit of which usually does not come until 2 or 3 generations later and that, therefore, most of those who work there today will never see the final result.
In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.
DO NOT HESITATE TO PASS THIS PAGE ON YOUR OWN NETWORKS. ANY HELP WILL BE WELCOME…!
THE COUNTERPARTIES
Squire or Lady
of La Villaumaire
For 25 € or more
​
- Periodic information by e-mail of the progress of the site (video, etc.)
- Personal thanks on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
- free membership to the association "Friends of La Villaumaire".
​
​
​
Knight or Dame
of La Villaumaire
​
For 50 € or more
​
- Idem "Squire of La Villaumaire",
+ Nominative Knight's or Lady's Diploma
​
​
Knight Banneret
or Dame Banneresse
of La Villaumaire
For € 100 or more
-Idem "Squire of La Villaumaire",
+ Nominative Banneret diploma
+ 1 invitation for 2 people to a “private” visit of the castle with the members of the team.
Baron or Baroness
of La Villaumaire
For 250 € or more
- Idem "Squire of La Villaumaire",
+ Nominative Baron diploma
+ 1 invitation for 2 people for a site visit, with a "private" visit to the castle, followed by a wine of honor.
+ 1 invitation for 2 people to the inauguration cocktail.
Vidame or Vidamess
of La Villaumaire
​
For € 500 or more
- Idem "Squire of La Villaumaire",
+ Vidame diploma
+ 1 invitation for 2 people for a site visit, with a "private" visit to the castle, followed by a wine of honor.
+ 1 invitation for 2 people to the official inauguration cocktail of the end of the work.
+ Registration for the raffle (VIP): an invitation for 2 people to a “princely” candlelit dinner at the castle.
​
​
​
Viscount or Viscountess
of La Villaumaire
For € 1,000 or more
- Idem "Squire of La Villaumaire",
+ 1 invitation for 2 people for a site visit, with a "private" visit to the castle followed by a wine of honor.
+ The honorary diplomas are then handed to them by hand by the head of the family, during a ceremony filmed and published on our social networks, which ends with a lunch at the castle.
+ 1 invitation for 2 people to the official inauguration cocktail of the end of the work.
+ Invitation for 2 people to a "princely" candlelit dinner at the castle.
Earl or Countess
of La Villaumaire
​
For 2,500 € or more
- Idem "Squire of La Villaumaire",
+ 1 invitation for 2 people for a site visit, with a "private" visit to the castle followed by a wine of honor.
+ 1 invitation for 2 people to the official inauguration cocktail of the end of the work.
+ The honorary diplomas are then handed to them by hand by the head of the family, during a ceremony filmed and published on our social networks, which ends with a lunch at the castle.
+ 1 invitation for 2 people to a “princely” candlelight dinner.
+ 1 invitation for 2 people for one night + breakfast at the castle.
​
​
​
Marquess or Marchioness
of La Villaumaire
For 5,000 € or more
- Idem "Squire of La Villaumaire",
+ 1 invitation for 2 people for a site visit, with a "private" visit to the castle followed by a wine of honor.
+ 1 invitation for 2 people to the official inauguration cocktail of the end of the work.
+ The honorary diplomas are then handed to them by hand by the head of the family, during a ceremony filmed and published on our social networks, which ends with a lunch at the castle.
+ delivery of the castle's medal of honor during the same ceremony.
+ 1 invitation for 2 people to a princely candlelight dinner followed by a weekend (lodging in the castle for 2 people) with breakfast the next morning (the next day being a free day).
Duke or Duchess
of La Villaumaire
For 10,000 € or more
- Idem "Squire of La Villaumaire",
+ 1 invitation for 2 people for a site visit, with a "private" visit to the castle followed by a wine of honor.
+ 1 invitation for 2 people to the official inauguration cocktail of the end of the work.
+ The honorary diplomas are then handed to them by hand by the head of the family, during a ceremony filmed and published on our social networks, which ends with a lunch at the castle.
+ delivery of the castle's medal of honor during the same ceremony.
+ 1 invitation for 2 people to a princely candlelight dinner followed by a weekend (lodging in the castle for 2 people) with breakfast the next morning (the next day being a free day).
+ provision of the castle park for the organization of an event (corporate cocktail, etc.)
THE ENTIRE CHÂTEAU DE LA VILLAUMAIRE TEAM WELCOME THANKS FOR YOUR PRECIOUS SUPPORT.
​
Note: The anonymity of donors can be respected on request. In the absence of an express request, their name, as well as their image (in the case of photos or videos), will be published as a thank you on the castle's media and social networks.
By "private visits", it is understood that these are only carried out within the framework of exceptional openings for the exclusive use of groups of donors - the calendar of visits will be sent to them by email.
​
Rules of the draw : HERE
WE THEY AID E!
Dario SATTUI
The French Motorcycling Federation represented by
Mr. Jacques BOLLE