Took over of the Château
When Philippe and Ségolène Raynaud de Fitte took over the chateau de Montastruc in February 1998, they found a Country House that had felt asleep since nearly 250 years and saw some damages leading gradually to state of ruin, no major construction work for maintenance or restoration having been undertaken since the last extension of the 18th century.
The storm Martin
The historical storm “Martin” on the evening of December 27, 1999 worsened considerably the state of the roofs and of certain structures, and laid down most of the oldest trees of the estate.
The Great Restoration Project
As early as January 2000, the Regional Director for Cultural Affairs (DRAC), the Chief Architect for Historic Buildings (ACMH), the Architect of the Batiments de France, and Architect D.P.L.G. Alain de La Ville, soon to be in charge for Montastruc, inspect the site with the young owners. The great project of restoration is then elaborated, which will see during following years:
- The partial repairs of the roofs of the castle and the full repair of those of the commons
- The restoration of the ramparts and restitutions of the machicolations of the bastion supporting the castle and the main courtyard, as well as of the access bridge and ramparts supporting it
- The restoration of all the Northern, Eastern and South-Eastern facades, as well as the replacement of 80% of the windows made strictly identical to the originals
- The complete modernization of the electrical installation and of the water circuits including the complete elimination of the lead piping installed during previous centuries
- The installation of a central heating and a of system of detection of intrusion and fire, connected to a central tele-surveillance
- The integration of a large classic basin near the pigeon-tower in function of a swimming pool
- The progressive restoration of the interiors, preserving the 18th century decors and the older vestiges still visible in certain parts
- The restoration of the vaulted rooms of the 18th century grand kitchens, including the bakery of the castle.
Important work remains to be undertaken
Despite all of the work already done, a lot need to be planned in order to restore completely the castle:
- Restoration of the ramparts of the Northern bastion and of the terraces above the caves, and the protection of the troglodytic site
- Repairing of the water ditches and the springs, and conduits that feed the ditches, as well as the canal leading the waters to the Peychenval mill
- The restoration of the imposing South-western and North-western facades and the corresponding roofs
- The end of the restoration of the various commons, including the reconstruction of the parts ruined, in the spirit of the portions that remain in place
- The restructuration of the park and woods
- The completion of the last interior decors of rooms remaining to be restored
