In South Gironde, the royal castle of Cazeneuve is being renovated to give it "a good facelift".

The 50,000 annual visitors are captivated by these historical anecdotes. Built, expanded, and restored between the ^11th and ^17th centuries, the monument has witnessed history unfold within its walls… and not without its share of hardship. “The facades were threatening to collapse; it was becoming urgent to act. The castle needed a major facelift,” admits the owner. Priority was given to the triumphal arch at the entrance, the south and west walls of the inner courtyard, and the perimeter wall in the wooded park. The massive limestone blocks, sometimes covered in moss, weeds, and fungi, are crumbling. They are worn, half-broken, and some have even fallen. The estate has a reserve of period stones from which it draws to fill the gaps.

From the beginning of October until mid-December, a team of six skilled workers, mostly stonemasons, are working to restore the building to its former glory and luminous ochre color. "They first give all the facades a thorough cleaning, before repointing them with lime mortar, and finally, they high-pressure sandblast everything for greater uniformity," explains Louis de Sabran-Pontevès. The project involves renovating approximately 800 ^square meters of walls.

65,000 euros worth of work

In 2022, a tower was built adjoining the historic building. From the roof, visitors enjoy a panoramic view not only of the castle (comprising around thirty rooms) but also of the 40 hectares of listed wooded parkland. An elevator allows people with reduced mobility to discover this jewel, awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide.